Youm-i-Ashur was observed throughout the country on Saturday with due solemnity and reverence to pay homage to the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions at Karbala.

On this occasion Alam, Zuljinah and Taazia processions were taken out throughout the country amid tight security arrangements.

Ashura processions were monitored through command and control centres in big cities including Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi.

Thousands of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras were installed to make the security foolproof.

The mourners were allowed to join the Ashura processions only after body search by security personnel and by crossing through walk through gates.

Three layers of security were in place, with all linking roads along the routes of the processions sealed off by placing containers and barbwires. Nobody was allowed to join the processions without security check.

Pillion riding was completely banned in many cities. Air surveillance was also carried out through helicopters.

In Karachi, the main procession was taken out from Nishtar Park which culminated at Imambargah Hussainia Irania.

Over 13,000 security personnel were deployed in the city to avoid any untoward incident.

In Lahore, the main procession was taken out from the Nisar Haveli.

It terminated at Karbala Gamay Shah after passing through its traditional route.

In Rawalpindi, the main mourning procession was taken out from Imambargah Colonel Maqbool Hussain which terminated at Imambargah Qadeemi.

In Peshawar, over a dozen Alam, Zuljinah and Tazia processions were taken out. The main procession was taken out from Qissa Khawani imambargah Alamdaar.

Around 7000 police personnel were deployed for security of mourning processions and azadars to avert any untoward incident during Ashura.

In Quetta, the main procession was taken out from Alamdar Road. After passing through its traditional route it ended from where it had started.

Similarly, in Muzaffarabad, main procession was taken out from Markazi Imambargah Pir Ilam Shah Bukhari and culminated at the same place after passing through its traditional route.

Similarly, dozens of Taazia, Alam and Zuljinah processions were taken out in four districts of Baltistan region.

In Skardu, the main procession was taken out from imambargah Hussainabad which culminated at its starting point after passing from Qatal Shah and Ziarat-i-Shuhda-i-Karbala.

Majalis-i-Sham-i-Gharibaan were also held in the evening to pay homage to the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Husain (RA) and his companions in Maidan-i-Karbala for the sublimity and glory of Islam.

Meanwhile, elaborate security measures were taken by the government deploying thousands of military, paramilitary and police force to avoid any untoward incident.

Authorities on Saturday suspended internet and cellular phone services in many cities as part of the security measures for Muharram processions and majalis.

The services were suspended in 68 districts of the countries including Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, Dera Ismail Khan, Muzaffargarh, Rahim Yar Khan, Nasirabad, Sohbatpur and Dera Alahyar.

The mobile phone services were restored after evening.