ISLAMABAD: The mourning processions for Youm-e-Ashur, the tenth day of Muharram-ul-Haram, were taken out peacefully across Pakistan on Wednesday, honoring Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his devoted companions for their sacrifice in Karbala.
To ensure security, mobile phone and internet services were suspended in all major cities, and Pakistan Army troops along with Civil Armed Forces (CAF) were deployed to maintain law and order. The processions marked a solemn commemoration of the resilience and martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the beloved grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who stood against oppression and tyranny.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised the Pakistan Army, local administrations, police, and other law enforcement agencies for their excellent security arrangements that ensured a peaceful observance of Youm-e-Ashur. “All the processions and Majalis were held with religious devotion,” stated the PM Office Media Wing in a press release. The prime minister expressed gratitude to the authorities and officials for their efforts in maintaining peace and order throughout the day.
In Karachi, the country’s largest city, the main procession began at Nishtar Park and ended at Husainia Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar, following its traditional route. Allama Shehanshah Hussain Naqvi addressed the mourners at the start of the procession. To ensure security, participants were thoroughly checked before entering the designated areas. Blood donation camps were set up along the route, where mourners donated blood in memory of the martyrs of Karbala.
The procession in Lahore started at around 8 AM from Nisar Haveli and concluded at Karbala Gamay Shah Imambargah. Participants walked through the traditional route, and volunteers set up stalls providing food and water (niaz and sabeel). For security purposes, roads leading to Mochi Darwaza were closed using containers and barbed wires, and a thorough security check was conducted at the main gate.
In Peshawar, about 12 processions took place, starting with the one from Imam Bargah Syed Ali Shah Rizvi at 11 AM. To ensure security, around 14,000 police officers and bomb disposal unit personnel were deployed. All procession routes were blocked, and mobile phone services were suspended. The processions were monitored through CCTV cameras.
The central procession in Multan started from Imam Bargah Hira Haideri in the early hours and ended at Dargah Shah Shams Tabrez after passing through several key areas. Smaller processions joined the central one. A total of 116 processions and over 130 majalis were held in Multan, with more than 6,000 security personnel and volunteers ensuring safety. CCTV monitoring was in place, and a three-layered security check was conducted for participants.
The main Ashura procession in Islamabad started from Imambargah Colonel Maqbool and ended at Imambargah Qadeemi. In Rawalpindi, the central procession departed from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain Teli Mohalla. Mobile phone services were partially suspended, and police jammers were present along traditional routes. The metro bus service was also suspended in Rawalpindi. Over 6,000 policemen and 900 traffic police personnel were deployed across the city.
In Quetta, the Ashura procession began at around 9 AM from Alamdar Road, with phone services suspended. Strict security measures were in place to ensure the safety of participants.
In Hyderabad, over 4,000 personnel and officers were deployed for the security of the Ashura procession. All streets and shops on the procession route were closed, and a control room was set up to monitor the event.
In his Ashura message, President Asif Ali Zardari emphasized unity and steadfastness in the face of cruelty and urged the nation to support the poor and needy. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif called for promoting equality, tolerance, unity, and discipline to counter internal and external threats. He urged the nation to draw inspiration from the martyrs of Karbala and set aside differences to strengthen the country.
