Muharram processions: Security tightened across Pakistan
A large number of mourners are participating in the processions.
The interior ministry has issued orders to restrain public and private transport near all the Imambargahs within a 500-metre range.
The ministry has also issued directives to police chiefs and chief secretaries in all provinces.
A control room, headed by Interior Minister Rehman Malik in the National Crisis Management Cell has been designated to monitor the situation.
All link roads leading to the ‘potential trouble spots’ will be closed for public and police officials with moveable barriers have been deployed at the entry and exit points of the areas of the sensitive Imambargahs.
Police have been directed to conduct thorough checking and screening of all vehicles, motorcycles and rickshaws. Effective patrolling would protect sensitive areas. Security would also be provided to women’s processions.
Karachi
A procession started from a congregation at Nishter Park which is on its way towards Husainiya Iraniya Imambargah.
The participants will offer prayers in Ali Raza Imambargah situated at the MA Jinnah Road.
Security forces have sealed the roads on which the procession is underway.
Lahore
Shiites from Nicholson Street and Mughalpura area initiated a procession, while the central processions will be carried out from Islampura and Pando Street, which will lead towards Nisar Haweli.
Peshawar
A procession will start from Hussainiya Hall in Saddar and Bibi Zakariya Imambargah.
Dera Ismail Khan
Processions started from Imambargah Hamuh Shah in the city which reached Lato Faqir.
The Army has taken the control of sensitive areas and a curfew has been imposed there.
Prime Minister Gilani calls for following principals of Hazrat Imam Hussain
Prime Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani called on the people to follow the principles espoused by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), for the security of Pakistan and glory of Islam.
In a message on the occasion of Youm-e-Ashura, the premier said, “We can become an ideal society if we adopt the principles of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) in our individual and collective lives.”
COMMENTS (16)
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@Ch Allah Daad: Your spirit for work really inspired me but what do you say about the call for holidays on all 4 Caliphs' days as a religious wing of our beloved country has been demanding for a long time?
@Abdullah: Shops along the route usually do remain closed, which isn't uncommon for solemn parades in some countries, but not in all parts of the city, including in Pakistan.
While admittedly organization and flow could be better, this also happens on nationalist holidays - why is that not noted?
Occupy Wall Street was seen as a nuisance by some city folks, yet they mostly had their rights protected without threat of violence.
But let's face it...it's not being about pragmatism...your arguments are driven by serious prejudice against the Shia minorities to the point of where you sympathize with banned bigoted extremist outfit SSP or otherwise known as ASWJ. You won't be happy until there's virtually no sign or mention of them to fulfill your own ideological comfort zone.
@bigsaf, freedom of expression or blocking everybody's freedom. Due to the possessions being taken out, the main artery of the biggest city is blocked and those who are even not part of the possession have to shut their shops / markets etc.
@Musalman, @ChAllah Daad, absolutely true
@Ali, yes definitely, they should repent for both
I respect all sects and their freedom but these processions and gatherings have no purpose and nothing to do with any religion. Whole country stays standstill for two long days. Billions are lost because of no economic activity and other billions on security. Imam Hussain and his collegues spent those days fighting the enemy. They did not take rest for few moments and majority of us spend these days hiding and sleeping. Atleast we should be working.
@Abdullah:
Yes, apparently that seems to be your only concern where disputable historical facts and theologies and sect interpretations on divinity on companions demands higher repentance to your ideological comfort, than actual state murderers of our citizens, especially minorities.
Thanks for bringing false 'balance' to the discussion...
@Musalman:
Unfortunately there are many instructions that weren't followed and it's all historically and academically disputable about the mourning period, grieving for the living or dead.
Whether or not to your interpretation it's Islamic or un-Islamic isn't the point. They have a right under freedom of expression and religion to take out their processions in peace without violence being committed on them by bigoted militant extremists, which is indeed the more condemning crime and extreme ideology, which sadly many seem to ignore.
@Abdullah: They should repent first for killing sooooo many innocents up till now.
Unfortunately the events that take place during the month of Muharram have nothing to do with Islam. The Prophet (PBUH) instructed us not to mourn on any grief beyond three days. The Sahaba followed these instruction throughout their lives.
Allah z with u..labaik ya imam a.s.
I hope those who speak against sahaba, repent too
Best wishes to my Shia brethren for a safe Muharram. Hope this isn't another Muharram that ends with deaths at the hands of so-called fellow muslims.
Islam was reborn on the day of Ashura. Labaik ya Hussein
That so much security is required for a biggest minority group in the country says a lot about the level of tolerance in the country.
People must look for the enemies of Pakistan who may try to destroy the peace during Moharram processions in the country.
This is a litmus test. Pakistan is moving forward.