ISLAMABAD: The mourning processions in connection with the Youm-e-Ashur are underway across Pakistan today (Wednesday) to pay homage to the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions in Karbala.
Internet and mobile phone services have been suspended in all cities of the country with Pakistan Army troops and Civil Armed Forces (CAF) deployed to handle any untoward incident and maintain the law and order situation.
This day is a reminder of the unwavering resilience of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the beloved grandson of the Prophet (PBUH), his family, and companions, who defended Islam against cruelty.
President Asif Ali Zardari in his message stressed the need for the display of unity and facing the forces of cruelty and evil with steadfastness while learning lessons from the incident of Karbala.
He appealed to the whole nation to stand for hard work, forbearance, justice, besides realising the requirements of the poor and the needy.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also stressed to promote tolerance, unity, equality and discipline within ourselves to deal the internal and external threats facing the country.
The mourning procession in Karachi started from Nishtar Park, in which not only men, but women, children, and the elderly are also taking part. Religious scholar Allama Shehanshah Hussain Naqvi addressed the mourners at the beginning of the procession.
The mourners are allowed to enter in the procession through designated areas to ensure security. The mourners also donate blood, to show their love for those who lost their lives in Karbala and for this several blood donation camps have also been set up.
The mourning procession began at around 8am from Nisar Haveli in Lahore. The mourners last night had prayed “Namaz-e-Ali Akbar”, after which they rested and then started their procession today.
The 10th Muharram procession will go through its traditional route. Stalls have been set up by volunteers for food and water on the route of the mourning procession.
For security purposes, all the roads coming towards Mochi Darwaza have been closed through containers and barbed wires. At the main gate, a security check point has been set up, where people are allowed to enter.
In Peshawar about 12 processions will be held with the first one starting from Imam Bargah Syed Ali Shah Rizvi at 11am. Around 14,000 police officers have been deployed while bomb disposal unit personnel are present to clear the route of the procession.
All the procession routes have been blocked while mobile phone services are suspended. CCTV cameras are being used to monitor the processions.
In Multan the central procession started from Imam Bargah Hira Haideri. Some of the mourners also resorted to “zanjeer zani”. The procession will go through its traditional route, crossing Lakkar Mandi Chowk, Ghanta Ghar, Water Works Road, and other areas.
The small processions will also join the main procession. Overall 116 Youm-e-Ashur processions and more than 130 majalis will be held in Multan, for which more than 6,000 security personnel along with volunteers have been deployed.
The main procession of Ashura in Rawalpindi started from Imambargah Colonel Maqbool and will conclude at Imambargah Qadeemi through the designated routes. According to the police, mobile phone service will remain suspended partially in surrounding areas while police jammers will be used along the procession’s routes. Metro bus service will also remain suspended in Rawalpindi.
Overall 6,000 policemen and 900 traffic police personnel have been deployed across the city.
In Quetta, the Ashura procession started from Alamdar Road at around 9am while phone services have been suspended.
Strict security arrangements have been made for the Ashura procession in Hyderabad with over 4,000 personnel and officers deployed for security in the city.
