Pakistan

Ashura processions culminate peacefully across country amid tight security

Cellular and transport services remained suspended in various areas marked sensitive by relevant authorities

Our Correspondent July 28, 2023

A large number of mourners attending the main procession of 9th Muharramul Haram observing Youm-e-Ashur in Lahore. PHOTO: APP

Ashura processions for Muharram 9 culminated peacefully across the country on Friday amid heavy contingents of security troops deputed along procession routes.

Cellular and transport services remained suspended in various areas marked sensitive by the relevant authorities.

In Islamabad, the central processions passed through Sectors G-6 and G-7, with the city police, Frontier Corps and paramilitary Rangers deployed at various points along the route.

According to Express News, 1,685 security personnel were deployed across the city, including five deputy police officers, 14 deputy superintendents, 21 police inspectors and 177 officers besides 60 Rangers and 365 FC personnel.

In Punjab, 13 districts were reportedly declared sensitive with mobile phone services remaining suspended or affected today and 10 Muharram (tomorrow). These included Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Gujarat, Jhang, Bhakkar, Leh, Multan, Sahiwal, Chakwal, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan.

Read: 4,698 police personnel to perform security duty on Ashura

Meanwhile, in Karachi, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had earlier earmarked Steel Town, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Jaffar-e-Tayyar Society, Malir 15, Future Colony, Dawood Chowrangi, Haji Zakaria Goth as areas where mobile phone services were either to be suspended or affected till Saturday.

The PTA also specified that cellular services would be partially suspended in Shah Latif Town, Bhittaiabad, Memon Goth Main Market and Bin Qasim Town, among other areas.

Moreover, the Sindh government has imposed a ban on pillion riding across the province under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).

Also read: Security stepped up for Muharram

The mobile phone services will be restored later in the day after which they will be suspended again at 8am tomorrow and resume at around 10pm.

The Peshawar Bus Service has also been suspended for security reasons. According to a spokesperson of the city’s transport department, the Peshawar BRT will not be operating on any of its routes during these two days and the Zu Bicycle sharing system will also remain suspended.

Mobile phone and internet services have also been suspended in Quetta for three days.