Over 1,500 processions to be taken out in Rawalpindi today

Rawalpindi

As many as 1,541 big and small Eid Milad-un-Nabi processions would appear from different parts of Rawalpindi today (Monday) to celebrate the birth of Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

The faithful on foot and also riding on different kinds of motor vehicles including wagons, buses, trucks, taxis, cars, motorbikes and even cycles to take part in the processions. ‘Langars’ and ‘sabeels’ would also be arranged at different points along the route of the procession, where tea, ‘qehwa’ and ‘sharbat’ would be served to the participants.

The big processions in the city would be taken out from Eidgah Sharif, Jamia Masjid Road, Sadiqabad, Bakramandi, Chur and Adiala Road, where people would start gathering since morning.

According to religious scholars, the followers would recite 'Naats' and 'Darood-o-Salam' during the processions all the way to pay homage the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The religious scholars would shed light on the life and teachings of Holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace be upon him) on the occasion. The representatives of Anjuman-e-Tajraan, members of District Peace Committee (DPC) and Milad Committees would also take part in the procession and would assist the police officials to ensure security of the participants.

As many as 3,200 police officials would cover processions, while the main procession would be guarded by around 1,200 police officials. Police would also be assisted by traffic wardens, Mehfooz Force, Punjab Constabulary, Elite Force, Special Branch, ladies police and volunteers to ensure foolproof security to public on this occasion.

The District Coordination Officer (DCO) Talat Gondal, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Operations Irfan Tariq, Mayor Rawalpindi Sardar Naseem, MPA Raja Muhammad Hanif and other senior officers reviewed security arrangements of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) on Sunday.

District Coordination Officer (DCO) Talat Gondal said that we would monitor all processions minutely. All officials of district administration would be with processions, he said. He said that public should co-operate with police officials to avoid any mishap on the occasion.

Meanwhile, a large number of government and private buildings have been beautifully decorated and illuminated. Whereas, residents of different localities, including Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, Bagh Sardaran, Pirwadhai, Chungi No. 22, Sher Zaman Colony, Lalkurti, Mall Road, Saddar, Satellite Town, Dhoke Paracha, Pindora, Asghar Mall Road, Sadiqabad, Muslim Town, Adiala Road, Tench Bhata and Pagwari have beautifully decorated their homes, shops and streets.

According to City Police Officer (CPO), Rawalpindi, Israr Ahmed Abbasi security officials would monitor Eid Milad-un-Nabi processions at different localities. CCTV cameras have been installed along sensitive routes of processions, he claimed. Police officials would also be deployed on rooftops of buildings for giving security cover, he said.

The local government has deployed dozens of doctors of the health department to check food items to be served in 'langars' along procession routes.

According to the commissioner's office, around 1,541 processions of Eid Milad-un-Nabi would be taken out from different localities. The majority of processions would gather at Jamia Masjid Road from where these would move through traditional routes, including Jamia Masjid Road, Banni, Asghar Mall Road, Trunk Bazaar, Lal Haveli, Sarafa Bazaar and Raja Bazaar. A big gathering of followers would offer 'Zohr' prayers at Fawara Chowk.

The processions would continue till late night. Some processions would gather at Fawara Chowk and Eidgah Sharif and finally culminate at Jamia Masjid Road where religious scholars would address the gathering.