Pakistan on red alert ahead of Muharram processions

Mobile services suspended in some parts of the country; pillion riding banned in Karachi and Lahore

LAHORE/ KARACHI: With Muharram processions underway across the country, Interior Minster Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan has placed the entire country on red alert and asked members of intelligence agencies to stay on guard against possible terrorist attacks, Express News reported Monday.

After a suicide attack killed 57 people near the Wagah border checkpost on Sunday, security has been beefed up in the country.

The interior minister directed officials of the National Counter Terrorism Authority (NACTA) to collect intelligence reports and share information with provincial authorities.

The Express Tribune's coverage of the Wagah border blast can be found here.

Mobile services have been suspended in parts of Pakistan and pillion riding banned in Karachi and Lahore, in an attempt to keep all processions peaceful.

Routes of main processions are under constant vigilance with shops in nearby areas closed for the next two days.

Karachi

The main procession in the city started from Nishtar Park where mourners gathered for a majlis.

From here, the mourners moved to MA Jinnah Road and offered Zuhr prayers at Imambargah Ali Raza.

After a brief annual protest against US and Israel, the participants of the procession will head to Hussainia Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar where the procession will end for the day.

To ensure security of the mourners, around 20,000 security personnel have been deployed in the city with snipers positioned on top of buildings.

The route of the main procession is also monitored by 250 CCTV cameras with control room at Civic Centre.

Lahore

Main procession for Muharram 9 has started moving from Lahore's Islampura area and will move towards Old Anarkali.

With a huge number of people taking part in the processions, the government has claimed to have set up four-tier security cordon around the gatherings.

Many water stalls have been established for those taking part in the processions while rescue workers are on alert to handle any kind of emergency.

Around 26,000 policemen in Lahore and 120,000 police officials in other districts will on duty during Ashura.