Yaum-i-Ashura was observed every year on Muharram 10 with solemnity to pay homage to Imam Husain the grandson of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and other martyrs of Karbala.Processions in Karachi, Hyderabad and Punjab have culminated, according to statements from senior officials.The Ashura procession in Karachi safely culminated at Hussainiya Iraniyan Imam Bargah, with a police update sharing that the head of the procession reached the imam bargah at 6:20pm. 

Additional IG Karachi Javed Alam Odho praised the Karachi Police for excellent security arrangements during Muharram, according to a statement from his office. “Majalis and processions were organised at several places in Karachi, including Nishtar Park,” he was quoted as saying, expressing appreciation for the Traffic Police for arranging alternative routes for the convenience of the general public during the main procession. 

Additional IG Odho also thanked media representatives, procession organisers, mourners and other institutions for their cooperation, according to the statement. Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed his satisfaction over the peaceful end of Ashura and thanked the interior minister, police and Rangers for “foolproof” security arrangements and the local government minister, Karachi mayor and relevant staff for providing facilities, according to a statement from his office. “The peaceful conclusion of Ashura processions across Sindh is the government’s success,” Shah was quoted as saying.

“Despite high security concerns, the Sindh Police did an excellent job, and the government made every effort to provide all facilities to the mourners.”“Sindh is the land of Sufis. We are advocates of peace,” Shah stated.Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar also congratulated Sindh Police for their excellent security strategy and performance during Ashura. “During this important occasion, security measures taken by all units of the Sindh Police, including the Traffic Police and Special Branch Police at the provincial level from Muharram 1 to Ashura, are commendable at every level,” he was quoted as saying in a statement. 

Lanjar also praised and appreciated the performance of Rangers Sindh and other security agencies on this occasion. Meanwhile, the central Ashura procession in Hyderabad culminated peacefully at Karbala Dadan Shah. Every year, the procession departs from Qadam Gah Maula Ali and is managed by Anjuma-i-Hyderi, which was founded in 1948. The entire route was sealed since the early morning with barbed wire, while police and Rangers personnel were deployed. The procession reached St Mary’s Convent School roundabout, where mourners performed zohrain prayers.

Subsequently, a majlis was addressed a small distance from the roundabout by Syed Wasim Hyder Zaidi, according to an Anjuman-i-Hyderi spokesman. A majlis was also addressed by Allama Irfan Ali Kazmi before the procession departed from Qadam Gah. The procession was delayed by over an hour at St Mary’s Chowk and passed the area at 5.15pm instead of the usual time of 4pm. This area also connects the route of the tazia procession from the city. Police arrangements for security were also weak. No strict checking was seen and everyone was allowed to reach the procession route, especially from Universal Book Depot point.

Some policemen who were initially seen for security purpose disappeared subsequently. Deputy Inspector General Tariq Dharejo, Senior Superintendent of Police Adeel Chandio and Deputy Commissioner Zain Ul Abidin monitored the proceedings in the control room set up in the City police station. Meanwhile, a statement from the Punjab government stated that processions were culminating safely in multiple cities across the province. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif congratulated her team, including Salman Rafique, ministers, institutions and others, for the “excellent arrangements”. 

“For the first time, we had not only the best Muharram in terms of arrangements but also the most peaceful one,” Maryam was quoted as saying. “Along with cleaning the roads, the dirt of hatred was also wiped away.” Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, accompanied by other ministers, arrived at the bridge of the Metro Bus Station, leaving Nisar Haveli in Lahore. She also visited the control room established at the Punjab Home Department and reviewed arrangements for Yaum-i-Ashura across the province in detail. 

A briefing delivered to Aurangzeb confirmed that the processions were being monitored in real-time through 7,500 cameras across Punjab and that 113,000 personnel were deployed. Additionally, more than 1,600 “hate-spreading accounts” were reported by the Cyber ??Patrol Cell of the Home Department and 170 people were arrested, according to the briefing. Aurangzeb was also briefed on the provision of clean water and clean procession routes, where water was sprinkled to cool mourners amid the heat and the spraying of disinfectants was continuous.

Mobile toilets were also provided and rescue personnel were on standby in case of emergency. A coordinated plan was also prepared with the Water and Power Distribution Authority (Wapda) and other institutions for uninterrupted power supply during Yaum-i-Ashura. Earlier in the week, Karachi Traffic Police issued a traffic plan for Muharram 8 to 10, outlining the procession routes as well as alternative traffic flows. Stringent security measures are being taken across the country, such as army deployment as well as a crackdown on sectarian content and hate mongers, ahead of Ashura (Muharram 10), being observed today. 

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)