“This is not first time we have faced blasts or firing,” said Syed Shujat Abbas, a mourner at the procession. PHOTO: EXPRESS/MOHAMMAD AZEEM
Despite four blasts, mourners of the main Chehlum procession on Tuesday were not deterred. The procession started from Nishtar Park and culminated at the Imam bargah Hussainian Iranian in Kharadar.
“This is not first time we have faced blasts or firing,” said Syed Shujat Abbas, a mourner at the procession who was taking an Alam. “We have been tested time and again but we have never been deterred and we are here in the procession in thousands. Those who are scared are planting bombs to hinder our paths but, as always, they have failed today. The number of mourners is evidence for their failure.”
Law enforcement agencies made stringent security plans for the procession with nearly 10,000 police and Rangers personnel deployed on the route of the procession. Snipers were positioned on the rooftops of the nearby buildings on the procession’s designated route. Around 30,000 volunteer scouts helped manage the procession to avoid any untoward incident. The route was sealed with containers and buses while bomb disposal squad and sniffer dogs continuously swept the route. Despite the rigorous preparations, law enforcement agencies were still unable to prevent the four blasts.
A number of small processions from different parts of the city gathered at Nishtar Park to join the central procession where noted religious scholar Maulana Syed Shahanshah Hussain Naqvi addressed the mourners. “The sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions preach us courage and bravery,” said Naqvi. “They laid their lives down but never backed down from their principles.”
Naqvi demanded that the government takes strict action against the terrorists that are behind the attacks and formulates a clear policy against terrorism.
Imamia Students Organisation, Buturab Scouts, Jaffaria Alliance Pakistan, Majlis-e-Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen, Pakistan Peoples Party and Muttahida Qaumi Movement set up medical camps and water stalls for mourners along the procession route.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 25th, 2013.
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