The ninth of Muharram was observed across the province and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) with stringent security in place in certain districts that were declared sensitive.
In Peshawar, processions were taken out across the city on Monday and culminated peacefully at their destinations after passing through designated routes.
There were three main processions. The biggest was taken out from Imambargah Hussainia Hall, Saddar Road at 10am and concluded at about 4pm.
The second and third started at Imambargh Bibi Zakrya, Gunj and Imambargah Sakhi Munwar Shah, Gulbahar and will culminate on Tuesday morning (today). Eight processions will be taken out today and will pass through the inner city.
Security arrangements for the mourners were rigid and all entry and exit points of the city remained closed. There was also no public transport and most people not participating in the processions stayed home.
By early Monday morning, cellular phone services were also suspended and helicopters monitored the processions throughout the day.
IGP Nasir Khan Durrani paid surprise visits to different parts of the city to inspect security arrangements. He visited Saddar and Hussainia Hall and met policemen manning different checkpoints. Durrani also met the administration of Hussainia Hall.
Similarly, he paid a surprise visit to Gulbahar and checked security arrangements there. The IGP was accompanied by Capital City Police Officer Ijaz Khan.
Haripur and Mansehra
Among the sensitive districts were Haripur and Mansehra. However, beefed up security meant the processions culminated without any untoward incident. The Alam-o-Zuljinah procession was taken out from Imambargah Imamia Sajjadia in Mohallah Motian, Haripur. It marched through the area and culminated at Imambargah Qadeemia in Mohallah Chowki Police.
Shias from different parts of the district mourned the loss of Imam Hussain (AS) and beat their chests as the nohas of zakirs and noha khwans filled the air along a route heavily guarded by policemen, elite force and Frontier Constabulary (FC).
Dr Hasnain Raza Turabi highlighted the sacrifices of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions for the sake of Islam. He also stressed on the need for Muslims of all sects to unite. Condemning the suicide bombing at Wagah border, Turabi pledged the Shia community’s support for the Pakistan Army, police, Rangers and other forces engaged in fighting militancy.
As part of the security measures, the Haripur district administration sealed the main bazaar and link roads on Sunday evening and heavy contingents of police, elite force and FC remained on high alert. Moreover, walkthrough gates were installed to screen the participants.
In Mansehra, the procession of the Alam was taken out from Imambargah Mehmooda. Allama Syed Zawar Hussain Shah, in his address, emphasised on harmony between all sects of Islam, saying it was the essence of the message of Karbala.
DI Khan
In the southern district of DI Khan, security arrangements involved the establishment of nine joint police and security forces check posts in six localities of the city and on link roads.
Cameras were installed to monitor the processions from a main control room in the DIG Dera’s office.
In DI Khan city, a razakar force performed their duties along with personnel of the police. Mourners from different areas gathered at Kotle Imam. Markets and others institutions remained closed and there was no traffic on Circular Road.
There was a minor incident when the procession was passing through Kotla Qayam Shah Imambargah and unidentified gunmen started shooting, said an official of the Gomal police. However, there were no casualties and police were unable to find the armed men.
In Paharpur tehsil, tight security arrangements were put in place and the Pakistan Army, along with police personnel, was deployed in Paharpur city. Processions from various Imambargas marched to Darbar Shah Hussain Shirazi.
Emergency was imposed in the Tehsil Headquarters Hospital, while the fire department staff remained on alert round the clock.
In Tank district, police and security forces provided security to the processions and the routes linking the area to Jandola and South Waziristan were strictly monitored.
Parachinar
Muharram processions were being taken out from over 350 imambargahs across Kurram Agency and were attended by thousands of mourners.
The processions, which have been taken out over the last three days, would all culminate at the same point after passing through their designated routes. Once again, strict security was in place to protect the mourners.
Security forces personnel and volunteers monitored all those entering the city, while the entry of commercial vehicles was banned as a shuttle service had been provided to commuters.
Earlier, authorities closed the Pak-Afghan border for three days as a precaution.
CM’s message on Muharram
Chief Minister Pervez Khattak said one of the major lessons learned from the Karbala tragedy was that people must show humanity, support what’s right and reject what’s wrong. Following these principles would not only keep us united and revive the glory of Muslims, but can lay solid foundations for durable peace in Pakistan and the world at large, stated an official handout while quoting Khattak.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 4th, 2014.
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