The main procession of 9th Muharram passed peacefully amid tight security arrangements. It was hot and humid weather throughout the day, with occasional drizzles in the city. However, in the evening, heavy rain started.
The procession commenced from Pando Street Imambargah after Fajr prayers. It followed a route through various locations, including Alamgeer Road, Chowk Noori Building, Main Bazar Karishsan Nagar, Neeli Bar Chowk, Baba Ground, Civil Secretariat, Central Police Office (CPO), Old Anarkali, Lake Road, Lytton Road, and Khaima Sadat, before returning to Pando Street at night. Religious scholars of the Shia community spoke about Hazrat Imam Hussain’s sacrifices and mission during the procession.
The mourners performed Zanjeerzani at Alamgir Road and offered Namaz-e-Zuhrain near Noori Building. The procession continued through main bazaar Islampura, Civil Secretariat, IG Office, Old Anarkali, and Khaima Saadat, where they offered Maghreebain.
Stalls providing cold water and milk, as well as food distribution, were set up along the route. Medical camps by Hussainian Scout, Rescue 1122 and Edhi Foundation offered first aid to any injured mourners.
Stringent security measures were in place, with the route sealed using barbed wires, containers, and barricades. Participants had to go through thorough checks, including physical frisking, metal detectors, and walkthrough gates. CCTV cameras and drone cameras were utilized to ensure safety.
CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana, DIG Operations Ali Nasir Rizvi, and other senior police officers actively supervised security arrangements.
The main processions were geo-tagged and monitored through control rooms. Traffic was diverted to alternative routes, and extensive traffic management was in place with the deployment of traffic wardens at various points. Alternate routes were specified for traffic flow during the processions on 9th and 10th Muharram.
On Muharram 10, the main procession will start from Nisar Haveli at midnight and conclude at Karbala Gamay Shah, with various smaller processions joining it along the way.
Punjab Governor Muhammad Balighur Rehman issued his Youm-e-Ashur message on Friday, stating that that day reminds Muslims about the supreme sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and the martyrs of Karbala.
He said that Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and Ahl-al-Bayt showed patience and courage at Karbala and taught a lesson about standing for the truth and fighting against oppression. He said, “The eternal sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and the martyrs of Karbala have a message for all of us that we should always support the truth by clearly distinguishing between right and wrong.”
The message of Karbala is that victory will always be of truth and justice, he continued. “Let us make the immortal message of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) the motto of our lives and be firmly committed to truth, justice and bravery and create an ideal society that is the embodiment of justice, love, tolerance and brotherhood.”
Meanwhile, the Governor expressed deep grief over the loss of precious human lives as a result of the overturning of a tourist vehicle at Gaiti Das near Chilas Babusar Top. He prayed for the deceased and passed his sympathies to the bereaved to bear this loss with patience and steadfastness. He has also prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured persons in this accident.
Additional input from APP
Published in The Express Tribune, July 29th, 2023.
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