PESHAWAR: The Muharram 9 mourning processions concluded peacefully here and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Wednesday as around 33,000 police personnel deployed for security throughout the province.

The mobile phone service remained suspended in the provincial capital throughout the day and will remain suspended on Ashura (today).

The largest Muharram 9 procession was taken out from the Imambargah Hussainia Hall on Saddar Road. It began at around 10am and concluded at the same place after passing through its traditional route. The participants offered prayers at Fawara Chowk.

Another procession was taken out from the Imambargah Bibi Sahiba in Mohallah Bibi of the interior city.

33,000 police officials deployed in province

Besides, at least 16 alam processions were also held in different parts of the city. Majalis will be held at all imambargahs from 9pm to 11pm.

On Ashura, 15 major processions of Zuljinnah will be taken out from major imambargahs of the city and conclude after using traditional routes.

The Shab-i-Ashur majalis will be held in 12 imambargahs, including Imambargah Syed Ali Shah in Muslim Meena Bazaar, Imambargah Akhundabad in Qissa Khawani, Imambargah Alamdar Karbala and Imambargah Syed Alam Shah Jaferi in Koochi Bazaar, Imambargah Khan Saab Malik Haji Rehman in Marviha, Imambargah Purwali Shah in Jafferia Street, Imambargah Sain Sohrab in Imamia Colony, Imambargah Hussainia in Wadpaga Sharif, Imambargah Mirza Qasim Asfahani in Mohallah Jangi and an imambargah in Hussainabad.

In total, 126 Ashura processions will be taken out and 306 majalis will be arranged in 62 imambargahs of the city.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Mahmood Khan visited the home department’s central control room and police command and control centre here to review security arrangements for Ashura.

Provincial chief secretary Dr Kazim Niaz, inspector general of police Moazzam Jah Ansari and city police chief Abbas Ahsan were present on the occasion, according to an official statement.

The chief minister was briefed about security arrangements and was told that unprecedented security precautions had been taken for ensuring security in light of the current regional situation.

The officials told the chief minister that the police department had deployed around 33,000 personnel all over the province to ensure peace during Muharram and the troops of Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps would be called if the need arose.

According to the statement, special security arrangements have been made for the protection of mourners and close-circuit television cameras have been installed along procession routes.

Hotels along the routes will be closely monitored, while the district control rooms have been linked with the provincial control room for real-time information.

Around 8,000 police officials have been deployed in the provincial capital to protect mourners and processions, while a plan has been made to cope with any emergency.

On the occasion, Mr Mahmood said he hoped that Ahusra would pass peacefully due to the comprehensive security arrangements.

He said security arrangements had been made keeping the regional situation in view.

According to another official statement issued here, provincial chief secretary Dr Kazim Niaz along with Inspector General of Police Moazzam Jah Ansari visited the home department’s Muharram Coordination Cell and the city police’s command and control centre to review security arrangements made for the peaceful observance of Muharram in the province.

Expressing satisfaction with security arrangements, Dr Niaz asked the police and other law-enforcement agencies to be on high alert during the month to maintain peace and thwart any untoward incident.

He appreciated the cooperation extended by the scholars of various schools of thought during Muharram and said no one would be allowed to spoil the peaceful atmosphere in the province.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2021