Ashura processions take place across country amid tight security

To pay homage to the eternal sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions, devotees are leading mourning processions on the day of Ashura across the country. Security is on high alert while mobile phone and internet services have been suspended in several cities especially in the area along the procession routes. President Arif Alvi, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, former President Asif Ali Zardari and other leaders issued statements on Ashura, saying the day has a deep historical and spiritual significance for Muslims all over the world. The martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) teaches us to resist oppression, oppression and injustice, said the prime minister. In the challenges and trials that our nation and the entire Muslim Ummah are facing, we should learn from Imam Hussain’s Farbani, said Shehbaz Sharif. KarachiThe main procession in Karachi left from Nishtar Park at 10am. The MA Jinnah road has been closed for the traffic and shops and the street straddling the road has been sealed. Over 400 streets and roads were closed in the city. Strict security arrangements saw deployment of over 2,500 soldiers including snipers. In total, more than eight thousand policemen and officers were on security duty. The devotees have set up sabeels and food counters along the procession route. Pillion riding of motorcycles is prohibited on 9th and 10th of Muharram in the city. LahoreIn Lahore, the main procession of the day of Ashura emerged from Nisar Haveli in the inner city with thousands of mourners participating. The procession was to reach Rang Mahal in the afternoon. Effective security arrangements have been made on the occasion of Ashura Day. RawalpindiIn Rawalpindi, the main procession was to depart from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain Teli Mahalla. Mobile phone service and metro bus service have been suspended in the city and aerial surveillance of the procession is being carried out. The procession will not end before the evening prayers. PeshawarPeshwar is to see multiple mourning processions on the Day of Ashura. The main procession of Ashura Day in Peshawar was to emerge from Imam Bargah Syed Ali Shah Rizvi Kochi Bazaar at 11am. Twelve processions will be taken out throughout the day, for which strict security arrangements have been made. At least 11,000 personnel will provide security in Peshawar. Other citiesAt least 36 processions of Tazia, Alm and Zul-Jinah will be taken out in Hafizabad. All the roads have been completely sealed under security arrangements. The security arrangements have been completed by the district administration and police on Ashura Day in Khanewal. At least 80 processions and 58 assemblies will be held across the district . In Kandhkot, the first mourning procession on the day of Ashura emerged from Syed Lal Shah Imambargah in Golimar. Mobile and internet services remain suspended in DI Khan, Hangu, Orakzai, Karam, Kohat, Peshawar, Tank, Bannu, Haripur, Mansehra, Mardan, Nowshera, Lucky Marwat and Abbottabad on the 10th of Muharram. Security cameras are monitoring all the time in sensitive districts and section 144 is enforced across the province for Ashura