City turns out for Youm-e-Ali procession

Thousands participate in Nishtar Park gathering, procession amid tight security

KARACHI:

Like the rest of the country, the martyrdom day of Ali ibn Abi Talib was commemorated in the city with solemnity and religious reverence on Wednesday as thousands of mourners attended a central majlis and procession under strict security arrangements.

The main mourning gathering was held at Nishtar Park under the auspices of the Zameer-ul-Hassan Trust before the central procession began. The majlis was addressed by religious scholar Allama Amjad Raza Johri.

Following the majlis, the central procession was taken out under the leadership of the Abutarab Scouts. When the procession reached M A Jinnah Road, the Imamia Students Organization Pakistan (ISO) Karachi region arranged congregational prayers for mourners near the Ali Raza Mosque and Imambargah.

Mourners offered Zuhrain prayers in congregation led by Maulana Asghar Shahidi. Temporary ablution facilities were also set up along the route to facilitate worshippers.

Addressing participants, a spokesperson for the Imamia Students Organization Pakistan condemned what he described as attacks by the United States on Iran and the actions of Israel against Palestinians. The speaker also referred to the leadership of Ali Khamenei and called for unity among oppressed communities around the world.

The spokesperson urged the government of Pakistan to adopt a clear foreign policy stance and called for the severing of diplomatic ties with states supporting actions against Muslim countries. He also demanded legal action against US Marines allegedly involved in the killing of Pakistani youths near the American consulate on March 1 and called for the withdrawal of what he termed false cases.

The speaker further condemned attempts at terrorism in Pakistan allegedly linked to neighbouring countries and expressed support for security operations by Pakistani institutions. He also warned of what he described as international efforts to incite sectarianism in the country and called on authorities to take strict action against those attempting to create instability.

At the conclusion of the prayers, protesters burned the flags of the United States and Israel and raised slogans in support of Palestine, Lebanon and Yemen.

After the prayers, the procession resumed along its traditional route through M A Jinnah Road, Sea Breeze, Saddar Dawakhana, Mansfield Street, Regal Chowk, Preedy Street, Bolton Market, Bhatti Bazaar and Kharadar before concluding at the Hussainia Iranian Imambargah.

Authorities had made extensive security arrangements for the event. A heavy deployment of police and paramilitary Rangers was in place, while roads and streets along the procession route were sealed with barricades.

Bomb disposal squads conducted searches of shops along the route before sealing them, and surveillance was maintained through CCTV cameras. Walk-through gates were installed at entry points to Nishtar Park and along the procession route, while snipers were stationed on rooftops. Sniffer dogs were also used to sweep the route.

Participants were allowed entry to the gathering and procession only after security checks.

Ziaul Hasan Lanjar, Ghulam Nabi Memon, Additional IG Karachi Javed Alam Odho and other senior police officials visited the procession route and reviewed the security arrangements.