Yaum-e-Ashur observed peacefully across country

Nawaz, Nisar laud law-enforcement agencies for ensuring peace

ISLAMABAD: The Yaum-e-Ashur was observed across the country peacefully on Wednesday amid tight security to commemorate the supreme sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions.

Multiple processions were taken out under tight security to avoid any untoward incident. The federal and provincial governments took strict security measures to maintain law and order. Alam, Zuljinah and Taazia processions were taken out in all small and big cities of the country. Religious scholars highlighted the teachings of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and various aspects of the Karbla tragedy. Food packs, water and milk were distributed among mourners throughout the day.

In Islamabad, scores of small processions were taken out in different areas including G-6/4 and I-10/2. The processions in Nilor, Jhangi Syedan and Sihala were culminated  at their traditional destinations. In Rawalpindi, the main Zuljinah, Alam and Tazia procession was taken out of Imambargah Colonel Maqbool Hussain. It culminated at Imambargah Qadeemi.

In Lahore, the central mourning procession was taken out of Nisar Haveli, Mochi Gate, and culminated at Karbala Gamay Shah after sunset where Majlis-e-Sham-e-Ghariban was held. As many as 15,000 policemen were deployed while the main procession was also monitored by 270 CCTV cameras.

In Multan, over 5,000 policemen and 4,000 national volunteers were deployed to provide security to Muharram processions. The processions were taken out of Astana Lal Shah Mashhadi, Imambargah Jawwadia, Haveli Mureed Shah, Imambargah Sher Shah Hussainabad (Daulat Gate), Imambargah Azeem Shah, Lal Kurti, Hussain Agahi, Imambargah Heera Hyderi and Imambargah Hussainia, which joined the main procession and concluded at Darbar Hazrat Shah Shams Sabazwari.

In Sargodha, over 5,000 policemen and 4,000 national volunteers were deployed to protect Muharram processions.

In Karachi, the main Ashura procession was taken out of Nishtar Park and culminated at Imambargah Hussainian Iranian Kharadar in the evening after passing through Numaish Chowrangi, MA Jinnah Road, Imambargah Ali Raza, Sea Breeze, Empress Market, Regal, Tibet Centre and Bolton Market.

In Hyderabad, over 200 mourning processions were taken out in various areas of the city. In Peshawar, the main Alam and Zuljinah procession was taken out of Imambargah Alamdar, Qissa Khawani Bazar, after Zohr prayers. The procession terminated at its starting point.

Foolproof security measures had been taken in Dera Ismail Khan, Hangu, Kohat, Mansehra, Tank, Parachinar and Aurakzai Agency. The KP government had deployed 36,000 policemen across the province. Against a total of 36,000 policemen, as many as 12,000 had been deputed in Peshawar, 4,500 in Dera Ismail Khan, 4,000 in Bannu and 3,000 in Hangu.

In Quetta, the main procession was taken out of Punjabi Imambargah. The procession, after passing through its traditional routes, terminated at its starting point. More than 7,000 personnel of security forces had been deployed to maintain law and order in Quetta.

The Yaum-e-Ashur was also observed in Gilgit-Baltistan. In Gilgit, the main Ashura procession was brought out of Imamia Markazi Masjid that was culminated at the same point after passing through traditional routes including Sadar Bazar, Ghadi Bagh and Jamaat Khana Bazar.

In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Alam, Zuljinah and Tazia processions were brought out of Imambargahs that culminated at their fixed spots after marching through their traditional routes in all 10 district headquarters of AJK including Mirpur, Haveli, Muzaffarabad, Hattiyan, Kotli, Bhimbher, Bagh, Sudahnoti, Rawalakot and Neelam Valley.

In Muzaffarabad, the main Ashura procession was taken out of Markazi Pir Ilam Shah Bukhari. In Mirpur, the main procession was taken out of Imambargah Saadat Colony.After Ashura passed peacefully, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Thursday lauded the law-enforcement agencies for ensuring peace.

The law-enforcement agencies and their every member deserved acknowledgment for not letting the enemies of the country succeed in their designs, the prime minister said in a message. He expressed satisfaction that the entire nation demonstrated unity and the day was marked with respect and peace across the country. “I also want to appreciate the countrymen for their consciousness and sense of responsibility. They not only showed vigilance but also gave a message to the world that the Pakistani nation is overcoming their trivial differences,” he said.

Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar also lauded all security agencies for maintaining peace during Muharramul Harram processions across the country.

In a statement, he said the security agencies including Pakistan Army, Rangers, Frontier Constabulary and police provided high-standard security to Muharram processions. He thanked the security agencies besides religious scholars of different schools of thought for cooperation in ensuring peace.