Youm-i-Ali processions conclude peacefully

BAHALWALPUR/ DERA GHAZI KHAN/ MULTAN:

Hundreds of people participated in the Youm-i-Ali processions in Multan, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan on Thursday. In Bahawalpur, five processions and 20 gatherings were held amid a curfew announced by police. Rahim Yar Khan DPO Tariq Mastoi invoked Section 144 to ban standing on roofs of houses and plazas. He said pillion riding had also been prohibited. In Multan, the main procession started from Nasirabad and ended at Chowk Bazaar where participants offered prayers. Nearly 3,280 policemen were deployed for security duties. RPO Masood Yasin said Section 144 had been imposed on pillion riding and display of weapons.

In Dera Ghazi Khan, the main procession started from Imambargah Ghazi Sher and ended at Imambargah Haideria. As many as 26 majalis were organised across the district. DPO Ghulam Mubashir said 400 policemen had been deployed for security duties. He said the processions were monitored using CCTV cameras.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2015.