RAWALPINDI, Feb 19: The district administration has prepared a fool proof security plan to maintain law and order during Ashura processions on Sunday. This was stated at a high-level meeting of the local administration.

The meeting, presided over by District Nazim Raja Tariq Kiani, was told that a central control room had been set up in the city to oversee security arrangements and ensure coordination between the police, organizers of processions and departments concerned of the local administration.

Similar control rooms have been established at the offices of tehsil municipal officers at all tehsil headquarters. These centres will remain operational 24 hours. Likewise, an emergency control room established at the office of the district police officer has also started functioning and will be working round- the-clock.

Meanwhile, District Nazim Tariq Kiani took a round of the whole city to take stock of the security arrangements. Later, talking to reporters, he said apart from riot police, members of peace committee, Ulema and religious scholars from different schools of thought, representatives of social groups, elected representatives and Civil Defence officials would also accompany the main Ashura procession.

Similarly, at the tehsil level, police officers, personnel of the local administration and elected representatives will go along processions. The district nazim said Section 144 had already been imposed, under which pillion riding, display of arms, use of crackers and unnecessary use of loud-speaker had been banned. Viewing of processions from rooftops has also been prohibited.

He said vehicles of fire-brigade and Islamabad Electric Supply Company, ambulances of district headquarters hospital and district health department, medical practitioners and paramedical staff would also remain with the procession.

Mr Kiani also visited different mosques and Imambargah and appealed to the faithful to extend cooperation to the administration. Talking to the people, he said Islam taught the lesson of tolerance, respect for the religious beliefs of others, sectarian harmony and brotherhood. "We will have to follow the patience and perseverance exhibited by Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS)," he said.

He said those who fanned religious and sectarian enmity were the enemies of Islam and Pakistan, therefore, they deserved no concession and must be taken to task. Meanwhile, about one dozen Zuljinnah and Alam processions will be taken out from different Imambargahs in Rawalpindi on Sunday, the last day of Ashura, to remember the great sacrifices offered by Hazrat Imam Hussain and his companions at Karbala for the glory of Islam.

The main procession will be brought out from Imambargah Col Maqbool Hussain on College Road. This procession will take its traditional route, passing through Trunk Bazaar, Iqbal Road, Fawara Chowk, Purana Qila and Jamia Masjid Road, before culminating at Qadeemi Imambargah.

Similar processions will be taken out from different Imambargahs including Imambargah Hifazat Ali Shah, Chittian Hattian; Imambargah Shah Hussain, Charagh; Imambargah Sadiqabad; Imambargah Yadgar-i-Hussain, Satellite Town; Ali Masjid, Saidpur Road, and Imambargah Baltistania. These processions will also join the main procession.

The participants of the processions will be served with drinks and eatables arranged by philanthropists and mourning parties at different points. Besides, ambulances will travel along the processions to provide first aid to the flagellants in case of any emergency. Similarly, medical camps have been set up at different places.

Similar, Ashura processions were taken out from different Imambargah in Islamabad on Saturday. A big procession was brought out from Imambargah Asna Ashura at G-6/2. After passing through its traditional route via Lal Quarters Chowk, G-6/2 Chowk, G-6/1- 2 Chowk, Lal Masjid and Melody, the procession ended at the same Imambargah it had been taken out from.

Heavy contingents of police had been deployed along the procession route. Ulema and religious scholars highlighted the sacrifices rendered by Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions on the occasion.