Ashura processions underway across the country amid tight security

Mobile phone and internet services have been suspended in some areas to prevent any potential disturbances

Yaum-e-Ashur, the 10th of Muharram, is being observed across the country on Wednesday to pay homage to the supreme sacrifice rendered by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his devoted companions in Karbala.

Mourning processions will be taken out in different cities and towns in all four provinces amid stringent security arrangements, with mobile phones and internet services affected in various areas marked sensitive.

Different provinces have also enlisted the services of the Frontier Corps (FC) and the paramilitary Rangers with troops deployed at various points along with provincial and district police personnel.

In Karachi, the main procession will emerge from Nishtar Park and after passing through its traditional routes, will conclude at Husainian Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar.

Shehanshah Hussain Naqvi will address the majlis at Nishtar park after which the procession will start with the Butrab Scouts in the lead.

The mourning procession would have the effigies of the coffins of the martyrs of Karbala, the horses decorated like Zuljinah, the horse of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), and cradles of babies slain in the event.

As per tradition, the matam associations will perform self-flagellation with chains and knives and beat their chest. Sabeels of water and milk have been placed in the main procession routes while food distribution and niaz and tabaruk will also be distributed.

More than 200 commandos from the Security Services Unit (SSU) have been deployed at different location in the metropolitan for the security of mourners during the holy month of Muharram.

According to a spokesperson from the DIG Security and Emergency Services Division, SSU commandos, including females, have been strategically deployed at various locations, including mourning processions, Imambargahs, congregational sites, sensitive areas, and procession routes. This deployment aims to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.

Expert marksmen are positioned atop high-rise buildings along the procession routes to provide additional security cover. The SSU headquarters is monitoring the processions through CCTV cameras. Moreover, a specialised command and control unit equipped with modern surveillance technology is closely monitoring the events.

In Lahore, the mourning procession began around 8am from Nisar Haveli. Last night, the mourners had prayed "Namaz-e-Ali Akbar" and after a period of rest, commenced their procession today.

The procession will follow its traditional route, attracting a large crowd. In response to the turnout, volunteers have set up stalls offering food and water (niaz and sabeel).

All roads leading to Mochi Darwaza have been sealed with containers and barbed wires for security purposes. Additionally, a thorough security check is being conducted at the main gate to screen everyone entering.

In Peshawar, about 12 processions are scheduled to emerge today, starting with the first one at Imam Bargah Syed Ali Shah Rizvi at 11am. Considering the city's security concerns, approximately 14,000 police officers have been deployed and bomb disposal units are on hand to ensure the routes are safe.

All procession routes have been blocked, and mobile phone services have been suspended. Surveillance of the mourning processions is being carried out through CCTV.

In Multan, the central procession commenced early today from Imam Bargah Hira Haideri. As the congregation reached Chowk Ghala Godam, they engaged in "zanjeer zani," a form of mourning.

The procession will continue along its customary path, passing through Lakkar Mandi Chowk, Ghanta Ghar, Water Works Road, among other areas, and will conclude at Dargah Shah Shams Tabrez with the Namaz-e-Maghrib.

Several smaller processions will merge with the central one. Overall, Multan will host 116 Youm-e-Ashur processions and over 130 majalis, with more than 6,000 security personnel, in addition to volunteers, ensuring safety.

In Gilgit, the main procession will be taken out from Central Imamia Mosque which will circle back to the same place after passing through its traditional routes.

In Rawalpindi, six major central mourning processions will be taken out, 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.

In the afternoon, 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. This procession will pass through Syedpur Road, Bani Road, Bani Chowk Jamia Masjid Road, and culminate at Imambargah Qadeemi at 7pm.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif, in his Youm-e-Ashur message, said that the supreme sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) serve as a reminder, inspiring humanity to stand against falsehood and oppression, reaffirming the unwavering commitment to truth on this significant occasion of Youm-e-Ashur.

The prime minister highlighted its profound significance, noting that the grandson of the Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) and his companions sacrificed their lives in a decisive battle between truth and falsehood at Karbala, illustrating the eternal strength of truth over falsehood through their martyrdom.

The prime minister emphasized that the tragic events of Youm-e-Ashur resonate deeply within believers, serving as an enduring reminder of the sacrifices for truth and justice. He highlighted Imam Hussain’s (RA) courageous stand against Yazid’s oppressive rule in Karbala, illustrating his unwavering perseverance.

The Holy Qur’an states, “Do not think of those who have been killed in the way of Allah as dead. They are alive with their Lord, receiving provision” (Surah Al-Imran, 3:169). This verse captures the essence of sacrifice demonstrated by Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions.

President Asif Ali Zardari has stressed upon the need of display of unity and facing the forces of cruelty and evil with steadfastness while learning lessons from the incident of Karbala.

In a message on Youm e Ashur, he underscored that they should shun aside their personal interests for the sake of the welfare and betterment of the nation and should not desist from giving any sacrifice while achieving this objective.

The president also appealed to the entire nation to stand for forbearance, hard work and justice, besides realizing the requirements of the poor and the needy, President Secretariat Press Wing said in a press release on Tuesday.

The president said that Youm e Ashur had a significant place in Islamic history, the day reminded them of the shahadat of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), grandson of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) on the battlefield of Karbala.

Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) along with his faithful companions laid down their lives for the revival of Islamic values and the rights of the Ummah while strongly resisting the forces of cruelty and tyranny, he added.