Ashura observed with solemnity in Punjab
From Our Correspondents
FAISALABAD: Ashura was observed with solemnity throughout the district.
On the occasion, strict security arrangements had been made along routes of the processions to avert any untoward incident. Commissioner Momin Agha, RPO Bilal Siddique Kamyana, DCO Salman Ghani and CPO Afzal Ahmad Kausar remained active on Ashura and visited Clock Tower Chowk, Satiana Road, People’s Colony and other areas to supervise administrative and security arrangements. They also kept close liaison with control rooms established at the DCO, CPO and SSP (Operations) offices and Clock Tower Chowk.
Talking to newsmen, the commissioner appreciated the remarkable role of Ulema, traders, journalists and civil society to maintain peace during Ashura. The RPO said that the police had made foolproof security arrangements by deputing policemen, teams of Elite Force and Quick Response Force around processions and Majalis.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Water and Power Ch Abid Sher Ali visited the Muharram central control room at the DCO Office and reviewed the process of monitoring security of Muharram processions through CCTV cameras. He said that the Punjab government had made extraordinary arrangements for foolproof security of Muharram processions. He said that the Fesco line staff worked in three shifts round-the-clock to ensure uninterrupted power supply to the Ashura processions and Majalis.
KASUR: Ashura was observed with solemnity in the district on Wednesday.
The main Ashura procession was taken out from Imambargah Saadat Manzil on Circular Road under tight security and culminated at Imambargah Hussainia, Kot Rukan Din after passing through its traditional route. The mourners beat their chests. A large number of the mourners also observed self-flagellation. The mobile phone service remained suspended on Ashura. More than 3,000 security personnel and Qaumi performed security duties.
SIALKOT: Ashura was observed amid tight security in Sialkot to pay homage to the greatest sacrifices offered by Imam Hussain (AS), his family and companions for the glory of Islam.
About 115 Majalis were organised and 100 processions were taken out from different parts of the district. More than 800 personnel from police and about 300 volunteers from Civil Defence and Police Qaumi Razakars were deployed for security of Majalis and processions.
The two traditional processions were taken out from Imambargah Zainabia and Imambargah Adda Pasrurian. In Cantonment area, the main procession was taken out from Imambargah Kausar Shah and it ended at the same venue after marching through Sadr Bazaar and adjacent areas. Hundreds of Sabeels were set up by the citizens on the routes of the processions. After the sunset, Sham-e-Ghareeban Majalis were held in Imambargahs.
MUZAFFARGARH: Total 278 Majalis were held and 176 processions of Tazia, Alam and Zuljinah were taken out amid tight security in the district.
Besides 1,123 national volunteers, 1,099 constables, 375 head constables, 300 ASIs, 250 SIs, 90 inspectors seven SPs and one company of the Pakistan Army were deployed for security. The law-enforcement agencies sealed the area hours before the main Zuljinah procession was scheduled to appear from Imambargah Mojharian to avoid any untoward incident. The procession culminated after marching through its traditional route.
TOBA TEK SINGH: Ashura was observed peacefully throughout the district amid strict measures adopted by the district administration.
More than 500 processions were taken out and more than 100 Majalis were held in the district. The main mourning procession began from central Imambargah on Jhang Road. After passing through its traditional route, the procession culminated at the same Imambargah in the evening. DCO Amer Ijaz Akbar, DPO Usman Akram Gondal, AC Muhammad Shafiq and other officials monitored the processions in the district.
Punjab Rural Support Programme Project Director Amanullah Khan visited the district to check arrangements in the health centres.
NANKANA SAHIB: Ashura was observed in the district on Wednesday.
As many as 21 processions were taken out and eight Majalis were held across the district. The main procession was taken out from Imambargah Qasr-e-Fatima and culminated at Hussaini Bagh after marching through its traditional route. The route of procession was completely sealed with barbed wires while police personnel were also deployed on the rooftops. The CCTV cameras were installed at different points of the procession. A heavy contingent of police was along with the procession.
HAFIZABAD: Total 37 processions were taken out and 67 Majalis were held in the district on Ashura.
Three big processions of Tazia and as many of Zuljinah were taken out from different parts of the city. The processions of Tazia were taken out from Ward No-1 at Mohallah Dhabwala, from Imambargah Hussainpura and from Jalalpur Road. Similarly, the processions of Zuljinah were taken out from the residences of Syed Ali Naqi Shah, Liaqat Zawar at Mohallah Hussainpura and Syed Shahid Hussain Tirmazi. All the processions gathered at Fawara Chowk where Majlis Sham-e-Ghareeban was held.
Meanwhile, the 46th Shahadat-e-Imam Hussain (AS) conference was organised at Markaz Ahle Sunnat Jamia Al-Farooq on Vanike Road, which was addressed by Peer Syed Waseem and others.
LALAMUSA: Ashura was observed with solemnity amid foolproof security measured by police here.
The main procession of Zuljinah was taken out from central Imambargah. Small processions of Alam and Tazia from other areas also joined the main procession. The mourners offered Zohr and Asr prayers at Milad Chowk. All the streets and roads leading to the route of the procession were sealed. The Motorway police had blocked GT Road from both sides near Railway Road Chowk and Sabzi Mandi by parking trailers and placing barbed wires. People arranged Sabeels of milk, cold drinks and tea. They also distributed free meal among the mourners. Meanwhile, a large number of people visited the graveyards and offered Fateha on the graves of their relatives.
PAKPATTAN: The main procession of Tazia and Alam was taken out from Markazi Imambargah after a Majlis here on Wednesday. Small processions were also taken out from different parts of the city. Meanwhile, processions of Tazia and Alam were also taken out in Arifwala, Qaboola Town and Malka Hans Town. DCO Irfan Ahmad Sindhu and DPO Kamran Yousaf Malik monitored the processions.
GUJRANWALA: Ashura was observed with solemnity in Gujranwala.
The Zuljinah and Tazia processions were taken out throughout the district amid tight security arrangements. Hundreds of CCTV cameras were installed at procession routes to make the security foolproof. The mourners were allowed to join the Ashura processions only after body search by security personnel and by crossing walkthrough gates. All roads along the routes of the processions were sealed by placing containers. Pillion riding was completely banned in the district.
JARANWALA: The procession of Tazia was taken out from Markazi Imambargah Qasr-e-Batool. The procession culminated at the same venue after marching through its traditional route. Police have closed all bazaars and different roads of the city. The people distributed free food and other eatables.
VEHARI: Total 128 Tazia processions were taken out and 311 Majalis were held in the district. No untoward incident occurred due to foolproof security arrangements made by the law enforcing agencies.
BAHAWALPUR: Ashura was observed amid tight security in Bahawalpur division, comprising Bahawalpur, Rahimyar Khan and Bahawalnagar districts, on Wednesday.
As many as 204 Alam, Tazia and Zuljinah processions were taken out and 83 Majalis were held in the division.
Meanwhile, acting RPO Ashfaq Ahmad Khan said that a special security contingent of 9,301 police personnel performed duties with strong commitment and dedication to extend foolproof security cover to 204 processions and 83 Majalis in the division. He made these remarks while giving a detailed briefing after the peaceful ending of Ashura. He appreciated the effective commitment of all police officers and officials to ensure smooth implementation of the security plan. He paid rich tributes to all stakeholders, especially divisional and district peace committees, which played their constructive role to ensure sustainable peace and tranquility in the division.
