All set for Ashura processions

Six major central mourning processions will be taken out in Rawalpindi city on Ashura (tomorrow), with all preparations completed.

The processions will follow their traditional routes and culminate at noon at the Markazi Imambargah Qadeemi, with the Majlis Sham-e-Ghariban scheduled for 8pm.

The first central mourning procession will depart from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain Teli Mohalla at 12.30pm, joining the main procession as it passes through Committee Chowk, Murree Road, Iqbal Road, and Alam Khan Road. The mourning procession of Colonel Maqbool Hussain will start at 1.30pm, followed by the procession from Imambargah Hifazat Ali Shah Bohar Bazar at 3.30pm. The processions from Imambargah Shaheedan-e-Karbala, Tyre Bazar, and Imambargah Darbar Shah Bin Chirag will also commence at 3.30pm and 4pm, respectively.

All these processions will merge along the route and culminate at Sarafa Bazar Chowk. Before the mourning processions begin, a majlis will be held in each Imambargah. Mourning rituals and zanjirzani will be observed at all intersections. During the processions, participants will perform Zuhr and Asr prayers at Fawara Chowk, and Maghrib and Isha prayers at Jamia Masjid Road.

At 2pm, a central assembly at Fawara Chowk will be addressed by Allama Qamar Haider Zaidi. Cold water, sharbat, tea, sabeels, and free meals (langar) will be distributed along all routes, and medical camps will be set up at every square.

Special arrangements have also been made for evening prayers, with another mourning procession to be taken out from Imambargah Baltistan Syedpur Road at 2pm. This procession will pass through Syedpur Road, Bani Road, Bani Chowk Jamia Masjid Road, and culminate at Imambargah Qadeemi at 7pm.

Strict security

Following the approval of the strictest security plan in the country’s history for Ashura, implementation has begun. Under Section 144, pillion riding of motorcycles is prohibited in areas where mourning processions will take place.

Starting today, Tuesday, at noon, routes will be completely sealed with containers, trolleys, heavy trucks, and barbed wire. Rangers have been called for Ashura security, and the army is on red alert. Mobile phone and internet services will be suspended. Aerial surveillance will be conducted using helicopters and drones.