Across the country, people are gathering on Saturday for Yaum-e-Ashur, the 10th of Muharram, to remember Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his loyal followers and pay tribute to the tremendous sacrifice they made in Karbala.
Despite tight security measures, mourning processions were held in a number of cities and towns across all four provinces. In some of these locations, cell phone and internet access were disrupted.
Along with provincial and district police, many provinces have sought the help of the paramilitary Frontier Corps (FC) and the Rangers, who have troops stationed all over the place.
At the designated sites for the Shaam-e-Ghariban commemorations, Ulema and Zakireen spoke about the lessons of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and the other martyrs of Karbala.
Nisar Haveli, Mochi Gate was the starting point for the big Zuljinnah parade in Lahore on Saturday morning. Kashmiri Bazaar was on the itinerary, as was Masjid Wazir Khan, Rang Mahal, Paniwala Talab, Bazaar Hakiman, Taksali, and Bhatti Gate.
With heavy security, Ashura processions conclude smoothly across the country.
At major intersections along the path, mourners held Majalis-e-Azadari, where they flagellated themselves to express their deepest feelings and hopes for Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions.
The Lahore Police Department had snipers stationed on roofs all along the route to ensure the safety of the march.
In Karachi, mourners began assembling at Nishtar Park for the major procession around 8 a.m. Before the march began, Allama Shehanshah Hussain Naqvi gave a speech to the assembled crowd. At Imambargah Hussainia in Iran, it all came to a head.
Water, tabarruk, and niyaz were made available at several places along the procession path, in addition to rigorous security procedures.
Jawad Rafi, president of the Balochistan Shia Conference, led the main procession out of the Nasirabad Imambargah in Quetta. Protesters marched from Alamdar Road to Toghi Road to Mission Road to Bacha Khan Chowk to Liaquat Bazaar to Prince Road and finally to Mominabad Imambargah.
All 36 of the city’s mourning processions had security checkpoints set up at their respective starting places.
The Gilgit procession’s main departure point was the Central Imamia Mosque, and it returned there this afternoon after following its customary itineraries.
Zuhr prayers were held in Captain Zameer Abbas Chowk, and majalis were held at other Imambargahs late into the night.
The police in Peshawar closed off all neighborhoods where funeral processions were planned to pass.
To keep an eye on the funeral processions, a command center was erected in the Kohat Gate area, while a second control center was put up in Saddar.
Following discussions with the Shia community, live monitoring by cameras, specialized lighting, and generators have been set up along the authorized procession routes.
As a tribute
To commemorate the events of Karbala, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif also made a public statement.
Saying, “Imam Husain’s sacrifice teaches us the priceless lesson of unshakable faith, righteousness, and justice,” he urged people to take something positive away from the tragedy.
Like the companions of Imam Hussain (RA), President Arif Alvi reminded the nation of the “importance of loyalty, righteousness, and supporting those who struggle for truth and justice.”
