KARACHI
The main Muharram 9 procession organised each year in remembrance of Karbala marks peacefully on Saturday. The central procession headed off from Nishtar Park and culminated at Hussainia Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar. The procession, marched through Numaish to MA Jinnah Road, Tibet center, Saddar Dawakhana, Empress Market, Regal Chowk and then made its way from Plastic Market to Hussainian Iranian Imambargah. A Majlis was held at Nishtar Park led by Allama Shehanshah Naqvi and participants offered Zuhrain prayers opposite the Imam bargah Ali Raza before the procession began.
Religious Affairs Minister Dr Noor-ul-Haq Qadri said in a statement that the supreme sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) in Karbala taught a lesson to all and sundry to firmly stand against tyranny and injustice.
Security arrangements
All high rise buildings along the route of the central procession had cops and snipers deployed on the rooftops to avert any untoward incident. The Sindh government had already enforced a ban on pillion riding . Law enforcement agencies were put on high alert and large contingents of police and Rangers were deployed along the procession route.
According to police, around 600+ different Majalis had also been organised in various areas of the city. There were more than 5000 security personnel deployed for this purpose and another 1500+ police officials at various sensitive locations.
The route of the central procession was sealed by the relevant authorities on Saturday night. Some 200+ small processions were also taken out.
Apart from aerial surveillance monitoring the procession, sniffer dogs were used to check for explosive materials and CCTV cameras were also monitored throughout the procession route.
Besides, medical camps had been set-up to cater to any accidents or injuries during the procession.
While cellular were suspended in certain areas and the routes taken by the mourners were blocked for traffic, twenty roads around the procession’s route could be used for traffic movement and cellular services were restored in the evening after procession culminated at Hussainian Iranian Imambargah.
