A peaceful conclusion: Chehlum ends without incident

Mobile services were suspended in areas bordering Afghanistan for last two days

HANGU/ KOHAT/ PESHAWAR/ PARACHINAR/ BANNU: Shias took out processions in various districts to mark the chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA). Due to the curfew imposed by the police in certain areas, attendance at educational institutes and government offices was thin.

In Peshawar, the procession progressed smoothly through its designated areas and covered a number of sites of historic importance. Qissa Khwani, through which the procession passed, was completely blocked for traffic. City police remained on high alert and phone services were suspended in the area.

There was strict checking of vehicles through the day, but the bazaars remained open.

Peshawar Deputy Commissioner Riaz Mehsud imposed Section 144 on pillion riding and the display of weapons. Several processions from various areas congregated at the main Qissa Khwani bazaar. Heavy police contingents, many in plain clothes, guarded the mourners. The force also brought along its canine unit. The last procession ended at 7pm.

Bannu

In Bannu, the procession started from Imambargah Hussainia.

There were strict security measures in place throughout the designated route. The procession reached Milad Park where speakers reminded mourners of the tragic events that unfolded in Karbala.

The mourners then turned back and headed to Imambargah Hussainia. The procession concluded peacefully under heavy security and the crowd finally dispersed.

Parachinar

In Parachinar, the headquarters of Kurram Agency, a large number of people took part in the processions. Mobile services were completely suspended in areas bordering Afghanistan for the last two days.

A procession started from the Central Imambargah in Parachinar at 8am and passed through the route specified by security forces. It reached back and culminated before Zuhr prayers. There was a complete ban on motorcycle riding in the area.

Kohat and Hangu

The chehlum procession concluded peacefully in Kohat and Hangu under strict security measures.

The city of Kohat was sealed on for the occasion. Strict snap checking was conducted throughout and all shops falling in the route of the procession were closed.

Three different processions were taken out from Bannu Bazaar’s Rizvia Imambargah, Zargaran Bazaar’s Syed Habib Imambargah and Qaumi Imambargah.

Processions in Hangu concluded without any untoward incident. Mobile phone services remained suspended throughout the district, while the processions commenced at 9am. The mourners finally dispersed at around 12pm.

Hangu Bazaar, however, remained open. ANP K-P Senior Vice President and Hangu representative Syed Hussain Ali Shah thanked police forces, the district administration and armed forces for their help.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 4^th,  2015.