Ashura observed nationwide amid tight security, calls for unity and tolerance

MURREE/
KOHAT/
RAWALPINDI/
PESHAWAR/
ISLAMABAD/
KARACHI/
LAHORE:

Youm-e-Ashura was observed across Pakistan on Friday with mourning processions taking to the streets in cities nationwide amid extensive security arrangements, with tens of thousands of police personnel deployed, snap checking, and partial or complete suspension of mobile phone services across various cities.

Security measures in Punjab

Mobile phone services were partially suspended across 24 districts of Punjab, limited to sensitive areas where processions and religious gatherings were being held. The affected districts included Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Sargodha, Khushab, Bhakkar, Hafizabad, Gujrat, Narowal, Faisalabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jhang, Chiniot, Multan, Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rajanpur, Muzaffargarh, Layyah, Kot Addu, Bahawalnagar, and Rahim Yar Khan.

The services will remain partially suspended at the locations of religious gatherings in these districts until 10pm, while remaining fully operational in Lahore and all other districts of Punjab.

The Punjab Home Department wrote to the federal government at the request of the police, sending location coordinates of religious gatherings for the partial suspension. The Ministry of Interior (MoI) subsequently issued directives to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) regarding the suspension of mobile services at specified locations.

The decision was taken “to maintain law and order” as per a notification by the MoI.

Across Punjab, more than 2,700 mourning processions and over 2,500 mourning gatherings were planned, with more than 10,000 traffic officers and personnel performing duties province-wide.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Traffic Punjab Muhammad Waqas Nazir directed that traffic arrangements across the province remain fully in place, with all CTOs and DTOs personally supervising processions, religious gatherings, and alternate routes.

The DIG also directed all supervisory staff to remain active in the field, with patrolling officers ensuring effective traffic monitoring along procession routes. Lifters, breakdown vehicles, and recovery teams were ordered to remain present along procession routes at all times, with special arrangements put in place to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow on alternate routes, including for fire brigade, rescue, and ambulance services.

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Special parking arrangements were also made for the convenience of mourners, with citizens urged to cooperate with traffic police to ensure safe, peaceful, organised, and timely travel.

On the directions of the Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, Rescue 1122 was placed on high alert across the province, said Rescue 1122 Punjab spokesperson Farooq Ahmed. Separately, Secretary Emergency Services Department Dr Rizwan Naseer shared that over 12,000 rescuers were deployed for Ashura and routine rescue operations.

Across Punjab, 896 ambulances, 2,300 rescue motorbikes, and 316 fire and rescue emergency vehicles were deployed, with more than 1,000 additional rescue posts established at key locations. Rescuers equipped with medical kits were deployed near processions and religious gatherings, while the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre monitored all rescue operations.

Lahore

 

More than 40 mourning processions and over 200 mourning gatherings are being held in Lahore. More than 1,300 rescuers have been deployed in the provincial capital, along with 55 emergency ambulances, 300 rescue motorbikes, and 44 fire, rescue, and specialised emergency vehicles.

Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi’s central procession emerged from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain, Teli Mohalla, where more than 8,000 police officers and personnel were on duty. Of these, more than 5,500 were assigned to the central procession alone, with more than 1,200 traffic police officers also performing duties. More than 1,000 volunteers assisted with security.

All routes leading to the mourning processions were sealed, with the city being monitored through more than 2,000 Safe City and other cameras and continuous oversight from the Safe City and Central Control Room. Snipers were deployed on high-rise buildings, and monitoring was also being carried out through drones. Procession participants were only allowed entry after body searches, with lady police personnel conducting checks on women. Metal detectors and walk-through gates were also in place.

Rawalpindi Police developed a special identification and scanning app which can scan any person’s CNIC instantly. Security personnel used the app at entry pickets and bus terminals, verifying processioners’ identities.

Rawalpindi administration imposed a ban on pillion riding while mobile phone and internet services remain completely suspended. Standing on rooftops and at windows along procession routes was prohibited, as was keeping stones or bricks on rooftops or bringing matches, cigarettes, lighters, or weapons into the processions.

Emergency was declared at hospitals, with 350 closed-circuit cameras installed and a control room established, with Governor Saleem Haider, the commissioner, RPO, CPO, and deputy commissioner conducting visits.

“Full implementation of the code of conduct and SOPs issued by the Punjab government will be ensured,” said the CPO.

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The first procession emerged from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain in Teli Mohalla, the second from Imambargah Colonel Maqbool, the third from Imambargah Hifazat Ali Shah, the fourth from Imambargah Shohda-e-Karbala in Tyre Bazaar, the fifth from Imambargah Darbar Shah Chan Chiragh Badshah, and the sixth from Imambargah Baltistania. All processions were to converge at Purana Qila Urdu Bazaar Chowk, with participants offering Zuhr and Asr prayers at Fawara Chowk, while Maghrib and Isha prayers are to be offered on Jamia Masjid Road.

The central procession will pass through its designated routes and conclude late at night. At the request of the administration, police will receive assistance from the Rangers, while Pakistan Army troops will remain on call.

Murree

In Murree, the central Ashura procession was to emerge on Mall Road, which has been completely closed to all traffic and the route cleared, said DPO Dr Muhammad Raza Tanveer. Tourists entering Murree must have a confirmed hotel booking, while locals will only be allowed entry upon presenting their CNIC. Movement at all locations in Murree except Mall Road will remain unrestricted, with additional police personnel deployed on alternative routes to keep traffic flowing. The DPO urged people to download the “Safe Tourism Murree” app for real-time traffic and security updates.

Islamabad

In Islamabad, more than 4,000 police officers and personnel were deployed across Imambargahs, procession routes, religious gatherings, and mosques for Friday prayers.

Inspector General (IG) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi personally supervised all Ashura security arrangements, with DIG Safe City/Traffic Haroon Joiya, DIG Muhammad Jawad Tariq, DIG Security Rana Umar Farooq, and other senior officers conducting field visits to Imambargahs and procession routes.

IG Rizvi stated, “All officers and personnel should perform their duties during Muharram with complete honesty, dedication, and a spirit of service,” reaffirming that Islamabad Police “remains committed to ensuring the safety of mourners and maintaining law and order on Ashura.”

According to Islamabad police, the procession “will commence from Imambargah Musa Kazim and proceed through Khayaban-e-Sir Syed before concluding back at Imambargah Musa Kazim.”

Due to this, the police noted that traffic will be diverted from various roads, announcing alternative routes. “Citizens are requested to use alternative routes during the procession,” the police said, adding that those participating in the procession “should park their vehicles and motorcycles in the designated parking areas.”

Meanwhile, Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, in a message on the occasion of Ashura, termed the day an “eternal symbol of truth, righteousness, patience, sacrifice, and standing firm against oppression.” He added, “The tragedy of Karbala highlights the clear distinction between truth and falsehood in every era.”

Saying that Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions made great sacrifices in Karbala “to safeguard the religion of Islam, human dignity, and the principles of justice and fairness,” the chairman said that the occasion “conveys the message of promoting unity, tolerance, brotherhood, and national solidarity.” He called on the nation to adopt in its character and collective behaviour the noble values for which the Ahl-e-Bait (RA) offered eternal sacrifices.

Peshawar

More than 10,000 security personnel were deployed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (K-P’s) capital, Peshawar, as 12 Ashura processions got underway across the city, said Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Peshawar Dr Mian Saeed.

He added that inner city was completely sealed and mobile phone services partially suspended, with monitoring carried out through drones, Safe City cameras, and 171 CCTV cameras. An anti-drone system was also installed, while three command posts were established and police checkpoints set up at the city’s entry points.

The CCPO noted that the Pakistan Army and other security agencies were working alongside K-P police to ensure order and safety amid the processions. “We hope that Ashura will pass peacefully across the country today,” he said.

The first procession emerged from Syed Ali Shah Rizvi Imambargah, passing through its traditional routes before concluding at Agha Mustafa Shah Imambargah.

Further, Rescue 1122 deployed special medical teams in case of any emergency, while water and refreshment stalls were set up at various locations along the procession routes.

K-P Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, in a special message on the occasion, said that “Karbala is not merely an event, but the title of humanity’s eternal victory in the battle between truth and falsehood.”

He said the sacrifice of Imam Hussain (AS) “shook the halls of oppression and made the supremacy of truth eternal,” adding that “standing united against oppression, tyranny, fascism, and injustice is the need of the hour.”

Further, CM Afridi said “We must adopt the message of Karbala to strengthen Pakistan, promote national unity, and uphold Islamic values.”

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Meanwhile, Provincial Information Minister Shafi Jan termed the tragedy of Karbala “an eternal saga of patience, steadfastness, selflessness, sacrifice, and standing firm for the sake of truth, which will serve as a guiding torch for all humanity until the end of time.”

The minister paid tribute to Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions, stating that “their great sacrifice for the supremacy of truth and against falsehood, oppression, and tyranny is an unparalleled chapter in the history of humanity.”

Jan “emphasised the need to promote national unity, inter-sect harmony, and brotherhood,” appealing to “revered scholars, elders, and people from all schools of thought to play their full role in fostering peace, tolerance, and mutual respect so that an atmosphere of peace and security can be maintained in the province.”

Awami National Party (ANP) Central President Senator Aimal Wali Khan, in his message, said the great sacrifices of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions remain “a shining symbol of resistance against tyranny.”

He noted that K-P remains in the grip of terrorism, insecurity, and bloodshed, with innocent citizens, security personnel, political workers, religious scholars, and young people continuing to be targeted. He called for a “clear, serious, and consistent strategy” to eliminate terrorism, and said all schools of thought should play their role in promoting religious harmony, mutual respect, unity, and tolerance.

“Lasting peace is established not through the gun, but through justice, the supremacy of the Constitution, and the rights of the people,” he said.

Kohat

The Ashura mourning procession in Kohat emerged from Bannu Bazaar, passing through its traditional routes to reach Milad Chowk, where it will converge with processions from Qaumi Imambargah and Syed Habib Imambargah.

More than 2,100 police personnel were deployed in the city, procession routes were sealed, and mobile phone services were suspended across the district.

Karachi

On the instructions of Additional IG Karachi Azad Khan, 6,843 police officers and personnel were deployed for the security of the central procession in the city, including 1,016 traffic police personnel and 157 lady police personnel.

To monitor the central procession and ensure effective response in case of any unforseen situation, a total of 182 police vehicles, including mobile units, APCs, motorcycles, and other official vehicles, were deployed at various locations across the provincial capital.

Further, special arrangements along the procession routes included snipers, a reserve force, plainclothes personnel, the Bomb Disposal Squad, search and sweep operations, snap checking, and traffic management.

Continuous monitoring was also being carried out through CCTV cameras from the Command and Control Centre to ensure any emergency situation may be dealt with in a timely manner.

Mourners offered prayers across the procession routes, including at Tibet Centre in Saddar.