Cellular services, which had been partially suspended in parts of the country, were restored late at night. Thousands of security personnel had been deployed to oversee all processions.
Karachi
The main Ashura procession in Karachi started from Numiash Chowrangi following on its traditional route. The mourners moved tp Tibet Centre where they offered Zuhrain and then moved to MA Jinnah Road.
The procession ended at Hussainia Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar.
Around 15,000 police and Rangers personnel were deployed to ensure the safety of the mourners while five bomb disposal squads are also moving with the procession.
Jafaria Disaster Management Cell had put in place improvised explosive device (IED) jammers to thwart possible attacks.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) leader Dr Farooq Sattar, speaking at Tibet Centre, lauded the security efforts and appreciated how the gathering was going peacefully.
An Express News screengrab of volunteers walking ahead of an Ashura procession
Quetta
Mourners gathered at city’s Mizan Chowk where they offered prayers and then marched forward. The procession ended at Nasirul Raza Imambargah.
Strict security measures were taken along the route of the procession and a heavy contingent of security personnel was deployed in the city.
An Express News screengrab of security personnel deployed in Quetta to protect mourners
Lahore, Rawalpindi
Ashura procession in Lahore started from Nisar Haweli and passed through Kashmiri Mohalla - a predominantly Shia neighbourhood.
The participants of the procession, who offered Zuhrain, stopped at multiple imambargahs before reaching their final destination of Karbala Gamay Shah this evening.
Around 10,000 police officers were deployed in the city to provide security to the processions.
Female police officers were on duty, and scanned participants before joining the procession. Keys, lighters and any metal objects were confiscated.
The main procession in Rawalpindi commenced from Imambargah Colonel Maqbool Hussain and culminated at Imambargah Kadimi.
Peshawar
In Peshawar, the main procession proceeded from Qissa Khawani Imambargah Alamdaar following Zuhr prayers. Over a dozen alam, zuljihan and tazias were taken out throughout the day to mark Ashura.
Five dead, eight injured in IED blast
Five people were killed including two security personnel, while eight others were injured in an IED blast, which targetted a mourners’ procession on Yum-e-Ashur on Tuesday.
CM Balochistan satisfied over peaceful culmination of Ashura processions
Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has expressed satisfaction over peaceful termination of Ashura processions in the province, Radio Pakistan reported.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the CM said people, ulema from all schools of thought, and the security forces deserved appreciation for peaceful observance of Muharram 10.
COMMENTS (14)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
@Abdul Wahid: Not only that that "Tens of fatwas from the highest Shia authorities have condemned it but to no avail.” But some have called it nonsensical.
@Proletarian: "Tens of fatwas from the highest Shia authorities have condemned it but to no avail." To no avail, why?
For all the comments above, none of them know the details about the fatwa and what is taqlid.
For starters, which some Marjas' have said self-flagellation is not allowed, equal or more have said its permissible. Ayatullah Khamnaie is one of the 58 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofcurrent_Maraji
Second, as mentioned earlier, many successful people do it, purely out of love. I can give you tonnes of references, edicts etc but space is limited and so is your thought.
Self flagellation is the will of the people. Tens of fatwas from the highest Shia authorities have condemned it but to no avail. Because it is a powerful custom. Those who do not love Hussain cannot understand.
In an ET blog on Muslim denominations there is a statement, which is of relevance here: "Religious exhibitionism is also a form of religious extremism." http://blogs.tribune.com.pk/story/24647/muslim-denominations-are-you-shia-or-sunni/
I can guarantee that with these kinds of traditions, customs, celebrations, religious and political marches and dharnas, we have absolutely no chance to progress and prosper.
@Dajjal
Muhammad's SAWW family was martyred in Karbala and we are followers of Muhammad SAWW and you expect people to not cry or hit them selves?
How many times have you seen people crying hysterically and hitting them selves in the event of a death in their family? I bet you've seen or heard of this countless times. And you are telling me that you don't feel the same for the Ahelebait? Muhammad's SAWW family? How is that possible, how do I believe that a Muslim can't feel the pain for the people who practically revived the religion.
How can you be so cold just because you are "Brain washed" from the start to not feel the pain. I'm not asking you to hit your self or cry but at least have the respect for Ashura. The respect that it deserves by not commenting on something you have no idea about.
@Satan: Dajjal's comment is secular.
Ayatollah Khamenei is a sensible cleric and has asked Shias not to do self-flagellation. http://www.slate.com/articles/newsandpolitics/explainer/2009/01/selfmutilationfordummies.html file:///C:/Users/Obaid/Downloads/ABC-Clio-Flagellation.pdf
Congratulations to all the provincial and federal governments for maintaining tight and effective security and for ensuring peace during Muharram.
Freedom of expression. Democracy. #NotKSA @Dajjal We are doomed because we don't miss an opportunity to tableegify!
@Dajjal: Ayatollah Khamenei issued a fatwa in 1994 against self mutilation. But most who favor self flagellation rejected the fatwa.
@Dajjal: Why are you assuming that the kid in the photo has (will have) no education or will not be a scientist in future. I personally know many shia friends who used to self-flagellate and are successful scientists and doctors now!
Does the Kid in the first picture know why he is whipping himself? It has to be an act of religious devotion… certainly its not an act of intelligence… Its really sad to see this sort of indoctrination and brain washing of children…. if only this energy went into educating them on natural sciences Pakistan might actually have a future...