Muslims mark Ashura across Pakistan

ISLAMABAD: The Youm-e-Ashur was observed across the country with religious solemnity and reverence Friday to pay homage to the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his 72 companions to uphold the truth.

Alam, Zuljinnah and Taazia processions were taken out in all the big and small towns across the country.

A number of social and political organisations as well as individuals established stalls and sabeels of juices and water on the routes of the processions to facilitate the faithful in each and every nook and corner of the country.

The scholars  highlighted the teachings of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and various aspects of the Karbala tragedy.

On the occasion foolproof security measures were taken by the government with the deployment of thousands of military, paramilitary and police forces to avoid any untoward incident across the country.

Police pickets were established on all entry and exit points of the processions while hospitals were also put on alert to deal with any emergency.

In Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Balochistan, Azad Kashmir and Gilgit Baltistan all the roads leading to Imambargahs were guarded through special deployment and strict security was ensured for the processions.

The mobile phone services were suspended in the major cities of the country as part of security arrangements for the Youm-e-Ashur. While, pillion-riding was also banned in some cities.