Strict security measures adopted for Muharram processions across Pakistan

Police also arrested five suspects from different areas of Karachi

KARACHI: Strict security measures have been put in place as processions on the occasion of Muharram 8 are being organised across the country, Express News reported.

Hazrat Abbas Alamdar’s bravery, courage and martyrdom is being highlighted in Sunday’s religious gathering at different Imambargahs.

In Karachi, the central procession was taken out from Nishtar Park.

It passed through Mehfil-e-Shah Khurasaan, Saddar, Preedy Street, Baba-e-Urdu Road, Imambargah Barah Imam, MA Jinnah Road, and then finally culminated at Hussainian Iranian Imambargah.

Over 18,000 police personnel are serving duty for the security of the religious gatherings and processions, while all roads connecting to processions have been blocked by containers. People are allowed to enter the processions only after thorough checking.

Pillion riding in the city for the next three days remains banned, whereas special permits for vehicles passing through procession routes have also been issued.

In Islamabad, the central procession will be taken out from G-9 Imambargah, while in Lahore it will begin from Moti Gate and will end at Imambargah Baitul Raza.

While all markets along the procession routes are shut, police personnel are also deployed on rooftops of buildings along the way.

Similar processions have been organised in cities including Multan, Peshawar and Rawalpindi, among others.

Police arrests five suspects in Karachi

With security forces on high alert to avoid any untoward incident during Muharram, police arrested on Sunday five suspects in different areas of Karachi, Express News reported.

Three suspects were arrested in a raid in Yousuf Goth area of Karachi. Weapons, suicide vests and a map of Karachi was recovered from the men’s possession.

The suspects have been taken to an undisclosed location for further investigation.

Another suspect was arrested near Imambargah Bara Imam by the police. He was taken to an undisclosed location for interrogation.

Earlier today, police rounded up a suspicious man near Numaish Chowrangi in Karachi.

SSP East Pir Muhammad Shah was in the area with his convoy when he spotted the suspect. He asked the police personnel travelling with him to search the man.

Police, after finding a suspicious bottle in his possession, arrested and shifted the suspect to an unidentified location for police interrogation.

SSP Shah spoke to Express News and confirmed the arrest, saying that the suspect is still under interrogation.

Strict security measures have been put in place to ensure a peaceful Muharram in the city with army on standby to assist police and Rangers in case of an emergency.