Muharram processions taken out amid tight security

KARACHI: Amid stern security arrangements, the main mourning procession of Muharram 9th, was taken out from Nishter Park to Hussainia Iranian Imambargah here on Monday.

The main mourning procession was taken out after the Majlis held at Nishter Pak, where Maulana Syed Shehenshah Hussain Naqvi shed light on the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (R.A), and his companions at Kerbala.

The procession after passing through its traditional route of Nishter Park, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto Road, Mehfil-e-Shah-e-Khurasan, M.A.Jinnah Road, Mansfield Street, Preedy Street, again M.A.Jinnah Road, Boulton Market, Bombay Bazar, Kharadar and Nawab Mahabat Khanjee Road culminated at Husainina Iranian Imambargah, Kharadar.

Extra-ordinary security arrangements were made by the law enforcement agencies on the routes of procession while all roads, streets and lanes leading to M.A. Jinnah Road were completely sealed for all kind of traffic and pedestrians.

Mourners were allowed to enter the procession and majalis after thorough checking and scanning by the walk-through gates.

Security passes for media men and special stickers for the vehicles were also issued to allow them for coverage of the occasion.

The helicopter surveillance was also carried out on the route of main procession.

All markets, colleges, schools, universities and public and private sector offices were closed on December 5 as the day was declared as public holiday on account of Muharram 9.

The bomb disposal squad, fire brigade and ambulances of welfare services were also alert to immediately respond in case of any untoward incident.

Sindh Home Minister, Manzoor Hussain Wasan also had an aerial view of the main procession of the Muharram 9, in helicopter and review the security arrangements.

In the federal capital, the main 9th Muharram procession was taken out from Markazi Imam Bargah Asna Ashri and after passing through form it's traditional route culminated at the same spot.

In Lahore, small and large processions were taken out from different areas, while the main procession came out from Islampura Pando street and culminated at Old Anarkali Khema-e-Sadat.

Small and large 9th Muharram processions were also taken out in Quetta, Peshawar, Sukkur, Hyderabad, Multan, Rawalpindi and other parts of the country.