Chehlum procession culminates peacefully

Over 7,000 Sindh Rangers, police personnel deployed along procession route, cellular services suspended

KARACHI:

The Chehlum of the martyrs of Karbala and the grandson of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) was observed on Tuesday with devotion and respect.

The main procession came out from Nishtar Park at 1pm and passed through its designated routes - Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto Road, Father Jaminis Road, Mehfil-e-Shah-e-Khurasan, MA Jinnah Road, Mansfield Street, Saddar Dawakhana, Preedy Street, Tibet Chowk, MA Jinnah Road, Boulton Market, Bombay Bazaar, Kharadar and Nawab Mahabat Khanji Road and culminated at Hussainian Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar before evening prayers.

Several small processions were also taken out from different parts of the city which later joined the main procession. Main majlis was held at Nishtar Park which was addressed by Allama Shahenshah Hussain Naqvi. During his address, Allama highlighted the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and Shuhada-e-Karbala.

The participants of the procession offered afternoon prayers at Imambargah Ali Raza. Water and other beverages were also placed at various places for the procession. Tabarruk was also distributed.

More than 7,000 Rangers and police personnel were deployed to ensure security of procession participants. Containers were placed at the entry and exit points of MA Jinnah Road.

Read More: Chehlum observed amid tight security

Monitoring of the procession was ensured with the help of more than 3,000 CCTV cameras besides aerial surveillance. Police personnel were also deployed on top of highrise buildings on the route of the Chehlum procession.

Moreover, on the directives of Karachi Additional IG Imran Yaqoob Minhas and DIG Security and Emergency Services Division Maqsood Ahmed, more than 200 well trained SSU Commandos, equipped with latest weapons, communication systems and other gadgets, performed duties on the occasion.

Earlier, the Sindh government, on the recommendations of the Sindh police and Rangers, imposed a ban on pillion riding in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas, and Shaheed Benazirabad on Chehlum day. Cellular phone service also remained suspended on the procession routes.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 29^th, 2021.