The Chehlum of Imam Husain and his companions is being observed across Pakistan today with due reverence and solemnity.
Processions of zuljanah and tazias in various major cities with hundreds of mourners accompanying them and reciting nohas were marching as security in major cities was beefed up.
On Friday, the Interior Ministry deployed armed troops in all four provinces including Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir under Section 4(3)(i) of the Anti-Terrorism Act 1997.
A Central Control Room has also been established at the ministry to monitor the overall security situation in the country.
Multan
At least 15 major mourning processions were taken out to observe the Chehlum (40th day of Martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain and His family) while 58 Majalid were also held .Commissioner Multan Aamir Khattak has said that no untooward incident was reported in Multan, Khanewal, Lodhran and VEhari district s and all processions concluded peacefully. Religious scholars cooperated with security agencies whole heartedly.
Karachi
The main procession in Karachi, which was taken out from Nishtar Park at 1pm, will pass through its traditional route and culminate at Husanian Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar.
Separately, a procession was also taken out from the Imambargah in Martin Quarters earlier in the day. It will join the main procession at Nishtar Park at 2pm on M.A. Jinnah Road from Gurumandir.
Traffic diversion plan issued by the Karachi police for the Chehlum procession. — Photo: Twitter
During the course of this journey, mourners will cover Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto Road, Mehfil-i-Shah-i-Khorasan, MA Jinnah Road, Mansfield street, Preedy street and Bolton Market.
According to a Karachi traffic police update at 1:40pm, the head position of Chehlum procession was at Shah Khurasan, while the tail position was at Nishtar Park.
All roads leading to the procession route have been closed for traffic, while mobile phone services will remain suspended.
Lahore
In Lahore, more than 8,000 police officers have been deployed along the route of the procession, Lahore DIG Operations Afzaal Ahmed Kauser told Dawn.com.
“Community volunteers, elite and anti-riots force and plainclothed police jawans have also been deployed,” he said, adding that the central procession was being monitored by the Safe Cities Authority and district administration cameras.
Islamabad and Rawalpindi
Meanwhile, the Islamabad police have said that the main procession of the day has passed in the city peacefully.
“All Shia-Sunni gatherings, processions and gatherings in Muharram and Safar are safe. Spreading religious confusion and propaganda on social media should be avoided. Legal action can be taken against those who spread mental confusion and propaganda,” it tweeted.
On the other hand, another procession in Rawalpindi is underway. According to a Dawn report on Friday, schools, colleges and markets in the city are closed today.
The police have chalked out a traffic plan and deployed more than 3,600 police and 236 wardens on Saturday.
As part of the traffic plan, diversions will be placed at 12 points while snipers will be deployed on rooftops, streets, roads along the routes of the processions. Other roads will be sealed with razor wire and barricades.
