Six main 9th Muharram processions taken out

Mobile service suspended amid high security in Rawalpindi

RAWALPINDI:

Security was placed on high alert and mobile services remained suspended as six main mourning processions were taken out in Rawalpindi on Friday in observance of Ashura.

The routes of the various Zuljinah, Alam and Tazia processions were sealed at 2pm. At least 300 CCTV cameras were installed along the Dingi Khoi Chowk route from Fawara Chowk to Kalan Bazaar to monitor the procession route.

The first mourning procession left Imambargah Ashiq Hussain Teli Mohalla at 11:30pm and merged with the second main procession of Imambargah Colonel Maqbool Hussain. It then passed through Teli Mohalla, Murree Road Committee Chowk, Iqbal Road and Alam Khan Road.

The third mourning procession began at 1:30pm at Imambargah Hifazat Ali, the fourth one started at Imambargah Shaheedan Karbala, the fifth procession began at Darbar Shah Chan Chirag while the sixth procession began from Imambargah Baltistan.

During the procession, the participants offered Zuhr and Asr prayers at Fawara Chowk and stopped at Jamia Masjid Road for Maghrib and Isha prayers.

There were major congregations including a majlis at Fawara Chowk at 3pm. As is the norm, mourners listened to lamentations, observed self-flagellation, and listened to recitations of the historical events at various points along the procession routes.

Majalis Sham-i-Ghariban were held in the evening while the various processions starting from different points reached their destination by midnight.

Security remained on high alert throughout the day. It included snipers at key vantage points including roofs and terraces.

The ban on pillion riding was already in place while vehicles weren’t allowed to park along the route of the processions. Display of firearms was banned while the designated route was secured with barbed wire and containers.

A surveillance helicopter provided aerial support on the procession route while cellular services remained suspended during the procession.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 29^th, 2023.