Ashura processions, in remembrance of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions at Karbala, were staged across the country on Wednesday with thousands of mourners in attendance.
This day is a poignant reminder of the unwavering resilience of Imam Hussain (RA), the beloved grandson of the Prophet (PBUH), his family, and devoted companions, who valiantly defended Islam in the face of opposition and cruelty.
The government suspended the mobile and internet services in a bid to prevent any untoward incident. Moreover, Pakistan Army troops and Civil Armed Forces (CAF) have been deployed along the routes of the main procession.
The Ashura processions concluded peacefully across the country, whereas, mobile phone and internet services were also being restored gradually in different parts of the country.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif appreciated the Pakistan Army, local administrations, police force and law enforcement agencies for making excellent security arrangements which ensured peaceful observance of Youm-e-Ashur in the country.
The prime minister said that with the grace of Allah Almighty, the situation throughout the country remained peaceful on Youm-e-Ashur.
"All the processions and Majalis were held with religious devotion," the PM Office Media Wing stated in a press release.
He said that the authorities and officials belonging to administration, police force, law enforcement agencies and the armed forces were present in the field and also expressed gratitude to them for ensuring law and order on the day.
The mourning procession in the country's biggest city was taken out from Nishtar Park and culminated at Husainia Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar after passing through its traditional routes.
Allama Shehanshah Hussain Naqvi addressed the mourners at the beginning of the procession.
To ensure security, the mourners were allowed to enter the designated procession areas after a thorough check.
The mourners, to show their love for those who lost their lives in Karbala, also donated blood, in light of which several blood donation camps have also been set up.
The mourning procession started at around 8am from Nisar Haveli and concluded after reaching Karbala Ghamay Shah Imambargah.
The procession went through its traditional route, in which a swarm of people participated. In light of the people's participation, stalls have been set up by volunteers for food and water (niaz and sabeel).
For security purposes, all the roads coming towards Mochi Darwaza were closed using containers and barbed wires.
At the main gate, a security check was set up, where people were allowed to enter after being checked thoroughly.
About 12 processions were held in Peshawar today with the first one starting from Imam Bargah Syed Ali Shah Rizvi at 11am.
Keeping in view the security situation in the city, around 14,000 police officers were deployed while bomb disposal unit personnel were also present to clear the passageways of the procession.
All the procession routes were blocked while mobile phone services were also suspended. The mourning processions were monitored through CCTV cameras.
In the city of saints, the central procession started from Imam Bargah Hira Haideri in the early hours of the day. When the believers reached Chowk Ghala Godam, they not only mourned but also performed "zanjeer zani".
The procession went through its usual route, crossing Lakkar Mandi Chowk, Ghanta Ghar, Water Works Road, and other areas. It ended on Namaz-e-Maghrib at Dargah Shah Shams Tabrez.
The small processions also joined the central procession. In all, 116 Youm-e-Ashur processions and over 130 majalis were staged in Multan, for which more than 6,000 security personnel — apart from volunteers — have been deployed.
CCTV monitoring was conducted of all prominent processions and CPO Multan Sadiq Ali Dogar told Geo News that to enter the procession, there's only one way — and it's allowed after a three-layered security check.
The main procession of Ashura in Islamabad started from Imambargah Colonel Maqbool and ended at Imambargah Qadeemi after passing through the designated routes.
Meanwhile, the first central mourning procession departed from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain Teli Mohalla in Rawalpindi.
According to the police, mobile phone service remained partially suspended in surrounding areas while police jammers were also present along the traditional routes.
Metro bus service was also suspended in Rawalpindi.
More than 6,000 policemen and 900 traffic police personal were also deployed across the city.
The Ashura procession started from Alamdar Road in Quetta at around 9am while phone services have been suspended.
Strict security arrangements were made for Ashura in Hyderabad with over 4,000 personnel and officers deployed for the security of the procession.
All the streets and shops on the route of the procession were closed, said the senior superintendent of police, adding that a control room was also set up to monitor the procession.
In his message on Ashura, President Asif Ali Zardari stressed upon the need of 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 entire nation to stand for forbearance, hard work and justice, besides realising the requirements of the poor and the needy.
Meanwhile, PM Shehbaz stressed to promote equality, tolerance, unity and discipline within ourselves to deal the internal and external threats facing the country.
Advising to draw inspiration from the values of fortitude and courage from the martyrs of Karbala, the premier said everyone should forget the racial, professional, linguistic and other differences to make our country stronger.
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