Due to terrorism threats at the main procession of Hazrat Imam Hussain’s (RA) chehlum on Tuesday, the army has been called in at the request of the Sindh government.
Under Article 245 of the Constitution, the soldiers from Malir Cantonment are taking up strategic positions in high threat areas.
The MA Jinnah Road has been closed for traffic as entry points along the central procession route have been sealed with barricades and containers. Shops situated along the route of the procession have also been closed for the procession. Bomb disposal unit and Karachi police K-9 unit also swept the route ahead of the procession. “We are alert to the dangers of suicide bombers and improvised explosive devices,” said District South DIG Abdul Khalique Shaikh. “We will be using modern technological equipment to prevent any act of terrorism.”
The central procession will be guarded by more than 5,000 policemen, added Shaikh while a Rangers spokesperson claimed that Rangers personnel will also be used. “A total of 5,000 of our jawans (Rangers personnel) will be deployed tomorrow.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 24th, 2013.
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Way to go Kanwal
Hakim 20 years. Must be living in some remote area I suppose or maybe trolling around because Saudi paying you too much. Been here for quarter the time you have been in US and I know of processions that are carried out across America. Processions have been carried out here for many years. And this might surprise you last a lot of brothers from Sunni school of thought attend majlises here. But you wouldn't know right?
@Hakim: My friend you are unaware of such procession in USA because you don't want to know! For your information, every year there are processions organized in many cities at Ashura and Chelum (LA, NY, Chicago, Dallas to name few) and they are held in a peaceful manner. So please open your eyes!
So this is the outcome of that much touted APC.You still need Armed Forces to maintain peace in Karachi. Would the Prime Minister please stand up and explain?
@Hakim: What a news from USA.You must have stayed at home these 20 years you mention.
@hakim USA is NOT a progressive and modern nation. Pls come out of that illusion. And they do have such rallies in almost all big cities if you just google pls. Same is true here in Europe. The only reason you don't see chaos is bcoz people actually help their government to manage things in an organised way rather than sitting on their backsides and complaining about it all the time like you. Karachi is too big to be shut down by a couple days worth of rallies. Finda different route if you are dying to go to work. Period.
I have lived in the USA for 20 years and have never seen such religious processions anywhere. A modern, progressive nation is not built on such rallies.
Once again we are captives to our homes and offices