‘Youm-e-Ashur’ held peacefully in Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi

The main ‘Youm-e-Ashur’ procession under foolproof security arrangements was taken out from Imambargah Colonel Maqbool which passed through its traditional routes and culminated peacefully at Imambargah Qadeemi where a large number of ‘azadaars’ observed ‘Sham-e-Gariban.’ 

The ‘ulemas’ and ‘zakreens’ shed light on the life and teachings of Holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (peace be upon him) and sacrifices of Imam Hussain (AS) before start of mourning processions. They advised people to follow the footsteps of Imam Hussain (AS) who never bowed his head before ‘Yazeed.’ 

It is worth mentioning here that people belonging to all walks of life fully cooperated with each other to ensure peace and harmony during mourning processions. Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan strongly appreciated all security agencies as well as public for maintaining peace and brotherhood on ‘Ashura’.  

More than 6,000 security personnel of law enforcement agencies including policemen, Rangers and special branch provided foolproof security cover to ‘Ashura’ processions on Wednesday. A total of 64 processions of ‘taazia’, ‘zuljinnah’ and ‘alam’ were taken out from different parts of the city on 'Ashura'.

There were total 667 ‘sabeels’ of milk and ‘sherbet on all traditional routes where mourning processions passed through. The followers of Imam Hussain (AS) also arranged thousands of ‘sabeels’ in every mohallah and street on the occasion. After ‘Nimaz-e-Zohrain,’ the followers distributed ‘langar’ among ‘participants of the  processions. 

The local management with the help of police had closed all ways leading towards procession routes for traffic. The security officials closed ways of Committee Chowk, College Road, Raja Bazaar, Banni, Jamia Masjid Road, Iqbal Road and Gawalmandi Road with big containers on the occasion. Motorists and pedestrians could move at Benazir Bhutto Road through Rawal Road.

Mobile phone service was suspended here along route of sensitive processions Wednesday. ‘Azadars’ also attended 113 ‘majalis’ in different parts of the city on 'Ashura’.

All big and small processions started appearing early morning and joined the main ‘Ashura’ procession, which was taken out at about 9 a.m. which passed through College Road, Bashir Hussain Road, Fawara Chowk, Dingi Khoi Chowk, Bansawala Chowk, Jamia Masjid Road, Trunk Bazaar, Bhabra Bazaar, Banni, Kartarpura and Dalgaran Bazaar before culminating at Imambargah Qadeemi. The main ‘Ashura’ procession appeared from Imambargah Colonel Maqbool.

‘Tazia’ and ‘zuljinnah’ processions were taken out at about 8 a.m. from different Imambarghas including Imambargha Qasr-e-Zainab, Abbas Ali to Naya Mohallah Chowk, Shah Chan
Chiragh, Shah Pyara, Gora Syedan, Jhangi Syedan, Gorakhpur, before joining the main procession and proceeded towards Imambargah Qadeemi. Similarly some other processions taken out from the Imambargah Sadaat Pindora to Madina Chowk, Sain Sadiq House, Imambargha Qaser-e-Abbas reached Imambargah Colonel Maqbool.

Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Azmat Mehood, District Coordination Officer (DCO) Talat Gondal and City Police Officer (CPO) Israr Abbasi were continuously visiting procession routes on ‘Ashura’ to strictly monitor security arrangements.

There were total 109 flashpoints in which 70 points in Category ‘A’ and 39 points are in Category ‘B’ while 25 points had been declared most sensitive in Rawalpindi.

The city district government, Rawalpindi, had banned pillion-riding in the city to ensure foolproof security of mourning processions and other congregations. An additional force of Special Branch Police, Elite Force, Punjab Constabulary, Women's Police and Pakistan Rangers along with district police also deployed to ensure security on 'Ashura'.

Strict checking of vehicles also made at entry and exist points of the city. 363 CCTV cameras, 49 walkthrough gates and 4 jammers had been installed to ensure fool proof security of the processions. There were also 6 sniffer dogs to check suspected persons.

All civic bodies including Rawalpindi Waste Management Company (RWMC), administration of the three teaching hospitals; District Headquarters Hospital (DHQ), Holy Family Hospital (HFH) and Benazir Bhutto Hospital (BBH), Rescue 1122, Civil Defense were on high alert to cope with any emergency situation.