Allama Hafiz Tassaduq Hussain addressed over 10,000 mourners at the majlis. He shed light on the sacrifices rendered for Islam by Imam Hussain (RA) and the Ahl-i-Bayt.
Nearly 2,000 policemen had been deployed to secure the proceedings and around 60 snipers were posted on rooftops along the route of the procession. Operations DIG Haider Ashraf and CCPO Amin Wains visited the street and the Data Darbar to review security arrangements. They met the organisers of the urs and the procession and interacted with policemen deployed there.
Aoun Abbas Zaidi said Hazrat Zainab had played a pivotal role in exposing the tyrannical nature of Yazid. He said the tradition of organising majalis was also traced back to her. Sabeels of water, milk and juices were set up at various points along the procession’s route for the mourners.
Babar Hashmi, an alam-wielding mourner, said the flags represented the memory of Hazrat Abbas (RA). The procession passed through Haider Road, Neeli Bar, Inder Street, Dayal Street, Guru Tegh Bahadur Road, Krishan Nagar Main Bazaar, the Secretariat Chowk, Church Road, Nabha Road, Edward Road and Old Anarkali before reaching Imambargah Khaima Saadaat. The procession is expected to conclude at the Azakhana Pando Street after passing by Imambargah Baltistania, and Block Syedan.
Speaking to The Express Tribune Operations DIG Haider Ashraf said searches had been carried out in all divisions of the city and foolproof security arrangements had been made to prevent any untoward incident. He said over 8,000 policemen would secure the Data Darbar and the main Arbaeen procession scheduled to originate from Haveli Ali Shah in the Delhi Gate area on Saturday (today). Ashraf said the procession would conclude at Karbala Gamay Shah. The DIG said the police would utilise all resources at their disposal to maintain law and order.
Security SP Malik Liaqat told The Express Tribune that a dedicated control room had been set up to monitor the Arbaeen commemorations and the urs of Data Sahib following a directive from DIG Ashraf. He said Security DSP Pervaiz Hussain Butt would be overseeing activities at the control room.
Liaquat said police had penned a letter to the Home Department requesting the suspension of cellular services on the occasion. Liaquat said Section 144 would be stringently enforced in the city. He said mourners would be allowed to join the procession after being scoured at four places. Liaquat said walkthrough gates, metal detectors, sniffing dogs, and barbed wires would be used to secure the route of the procession.
Speaking to The Express Tribune Rescue 1122 Spokesperson Jam Sajjad Hussain said 250 rescuers would discharge duties on the occasion. He said another 250 would be on standby to deal with any untoward situation.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 13th, 2014.
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