ISLAMABAD -UNS: Mourners across the country are taking out processions to observe Yaum-i-Ashura (Muharram 10) amid tight security arrangements, with mobile phone services suspended in some areas to prevent any untoward incident.
Yaum-i-Ashura is observed every year on Muharram 10 with solemnity to pay homage to Imam Husain — the grandson of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and other martyrs of Karbala.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the day reminds us that standing against oppression is the moral duty of a Muslim, state-run Radio Pakistan reported.
It further quoted the premier as saying, “Imam Husain’s sacrifice teaches us the priceless lesson of unshakable faith, righteousness and justice.”
The prime minister urged the public to learn from the incident “to deal with the challenges and trials that our nation and the entire Muslim ummah (community) are facing today”.
Meanwhile, President Dr Arif Alvi, in his message, said that the companions of Imam Husain “taught us the importance of loyalty, righteousness and supporting those who struggle for truth and justice”, Radio Pakistan reported.
It further quoted him as saying that we should “give up personal luxuries and desires for the greater good of society and [the] betterment of humanity”.
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari also shared couplets in remembrance of the historic incident.
To ensure the security of Muharram processions across the province, the Punjab government has sought the deployment of army and Rangers troops.
The Karachi police have also issued a security and traffic management plan for processions, under which 4,698 police personnel would be deployed across the city.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has imposed Section 144 in all divisions except Malakand, banning the display and brandishing of arms, pillion riding, use of tinted glass in vehicles and standing of people on rooftops. The ban will remain in place throughout Muharram.
Lahore
Lahore’s main procession set out from Nisar Haveli in the Mohalla Chillah Bibian in the morning and is set to culminate at the Karbala Ghamay Shah Imambargah.
According to a Dawn.com correspondent, during the procession, the participants will offer the combined Zuhrain prayers at Sunehri Majid while the combined Maghribain prayers will be offered near Bhati Gate.
Radio Pakistan said the procession’s route included Kashmiri Bazaar, Masjid Wazir Khan, Rang Mahal, Paniwala Talab, Bazaar Hakiman, Taksali and Bhati Gate.
It further said that the Lahore police have made strict security arrangements for the procession and snipers have been deployed on the roofs of the buildings along the route.
Separately, in a statement, Inspector General (IG) Dr Usman Anwar said that more than 125,000 police officials are performing their duties across the province, out of which 15,000 were deployed for the main processions and majlis across Lahore.
He directed the police to ensure strict checking protocols were followed through CCTV monitoring, walkthrough gates and metal detectors.
The IG further said that women police officials were also deployed at the mourning processions along with commandos dressed in plain clothes.
IG Anwar stated that “all field formations — including from Dolphin Squad, Police Response Unit, special branch and the Counter Terrorism Department — were assisting in the security arrangements.
Meanwhile, the traffic police said in a statement that six deputy superintendents of police, 110 traffic inspectors, 140 patrolling officers and 1,390 wardens have been deployed at various points across the city.
Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Mustansar Feroze said pillion-riding was banned and participants could park their vehicles at the designated locations as no vehicle would be allowed on the procession route.
However, he added that the routes will be kept open to emergency vehicles (ambulances, fire brigades, etc).
