Last week, the entire area around Mubarak Haveli inside the Walled City was sealed by the police for well over 24 hours. While the police were only following the city administration’s orders to not allow the central ziarat procession related to the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali (with whom Allah was pleased) to take place, the locals felt as if they had been taken hostage, as no one could enter or leave the area. Containers had been parked at entry and exit points. It impacted many who needed to step out for various errands.

Clashes erupted between the police and those belonging to an ethnic religious minority who demanded that the ban on processions be lifted. It reached a point where the law enforcement had to step back. Though, there was no official word on the ban being lifted, the police eventually removed the barricades and containers, and let the procession take its course.

The ziarat is traditionally taken out from Mubarak Haveli. It passes by Imambargah Ghulam Ali Shah, Fazal Haveli, Takia Nathay Shah, Koocha Shian, Kashmiri Bazaar, Dabbi Bazaar, Sunehri Masjid, Paniwala Talaab, Chowk Tibbi, Bazaar Hakeeman, Mohalla Jogian and Oonchi Masjid, before culminating at Karbala Gamay Shah.