Muharram 9 processions under way across country amid tight security

Muharram 9 mourning processions are being taken out countrywide amid strict security, with mobile phone services suspended in some areas under a comprehensive plan devised by law enforcement agencies to prevent any untoward incident.

A day ago, the Karachi police issued a security and traffic management plan for processions on the 8th, 9th and 10th of Muharram, under which 4,698 police personnel would be deployed across the city.

Punjab has sought the deployment of army and Rangers troops for the security of Muharram processions across the province.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has also section 144 imposed in all divisions except Malakand, banning the display and brandishing of arms, pillion riding, use of tinted glass in vehicles and standing of people on rooftops. The ban will remain in place throughout Muharram.

Lahore

According to a Dawn.com respondent, a large procession of mourners departed from Pando Street Azakhana Imambargah in Lahore today.

Lahore Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Operations Ali Nasir Rizvi said the procession was being provided with “foolproof security” and was expected to reach its destination at 12am tonight.

He added that 4,700 police officers were performing their duties on Pando Street, adding that policemen with snipers had been positioned on the roofs of various buildings in the area.

Meanwhile, the Punjab Police said provincial Inspector General (IG) Dr Usman Anwar and Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman went to Rawalpindi, where they visited various Imambargahs — including the Colonel Maqbool Hussain and Liaquat Bagh Imambargahs — and the procession routes.

The police further said that control rooms have been set up in all districts of Punjab, and all activities are being continuously monitored with the help of CCTV cameras.