Ashura: 9th of Muharram processions conclude peacefully

12 terrorism suspects arrested. Plan for 10th of Muharram processions in Multan issued.

MULTAN:

The main 9th of Muharram procession in the city started from the Imambargah in Mumtazabad and ended at the same point after marching along its traditional route amid tight security.

City police arrested 12 suspects from various areas on Saturday.

Regional Police Officer Amir Zulfiqar Khan appreciated the efforts of Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Gohar Nafees and Additional SP Rana Mansoorul Haq.

He said eight men were arrested from near the main procession. The suspects belonged to North Waziristan, he said. Two men, both from Peshawar, were arrested from the Imambargah in Daulat Gate. He said weapons were recovered from all of them. Two suspects were arrested from Shujaabad near the main Imambargah. Police also recovered weapons from them, he said.

The RPO, the SSP (Operations) and the SP were present at the Imambargah to monitor security arrangements for the procession.

The RPO said that police remained on high alert and coordinated well with the local administration and volunteers from the procession organisers.

Multan Azadari Council president Asghar Naqvi expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements.

More than 200 personnel of the Punjab Emergency Service (Rescue 1122) remained available. The south zone Rescue head, Dr Farhan, visited several areas to monitor the arrangements.

10th of Muharram plans in Multan

On 10th of Muharram, a small gathering of women walking on burning coal will be organised before the biggest mourning procession in the city which will start from Imambargah Jhik. The procession will end at the Imambargah Mohajireen, Haveli Mureed Shah. More than 100,000 mourners will join the procession.

The second biggest procession will start from the tomb of Laal Shah, known as the father of mourning processions in the sub continent. It will end at the tomb of Shah Shams at Karbala Darbar. This will be followed by a majlis and walking on fire.

The third procession will start from Imam Baargah Kashana-i-Shabbir and will end at the same place.

In one of the biggest gatherings in Multan, more than 20,000 people will attend a mourning session at Imam Bargah Jamia Sahibuz Zamaan.

More than 1,200 mourning sessions and 900 processions are being organised on the 9th and 10th of Muharram in Multan district this year.

Some 4,000 police personnel have been deployed for security in the city.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 25^th, 2012.