KARACHI: Mourning processions were taken out amid tight security in several towns across the province on Saturday to mark the martyrdom day of Hazrat Ali.

The towns’ administrations had diverted traffic to alternate roads and suspended mobile phone service along the processions’ routes as security precaution.

In Karachi, the main Youm-i-Ali mourning procession started from Nishtar Park, which passed through traditional routes before culminating at Imambargah Hussainian Iranian in Kharadar. Elaborate traffic plan was prepared and mobile phone service was suspended in several parts as a security precaution, according to officials and organisers.

“The Youm-i-Ali procession culminated peacefully,” said South-DIG, Shajreel Kharal. The South Zone police chief said that 8,000-6,000 policemen and 2,000 Rangers personnel provided security to mourners.

The officer said that cell phone service was disrupted on routes of the main procession.

Police have closed the road from Numaish to M.A. Jinnah Road with containers as all the traffic coming toward Numaish were diverted on alternative routes.

Earlier, Karachi commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Memon along with DIG South, Sharjeel Kharal and other officials of the district administration and Pakistan Rangers Sindh visited the route of main procession where he reviewed security arrangements and provision of cleanliness and facilities including streetlights.

Missing persons

Meanwhile, Joint Action Committee for Shia Missing Persons held a press conference during the main procession, said spokesperson.

Allama Ahmed Iqbal Rizvi, Allama Dr Aqeel Moosa, Allama Haider Abbas Abidi, Allama Razi Haider, Allama Nazir Abbas Taqvi and others said that the state institutions were allegedly violating the constitution and laws.

They said that they were being informed by different sources that their near and dear ones were no more in this world. They urged chief justice of Pakistan, Chief of Army Staff and president of Pakistan to resolve the issue of missing persons.

The leaders warned that if the missing persons were not released, they would be compelled to hold countrywide protest and block the country’s main roads and highways.

HYDERABAD: Shia faithful observed Youm-i-Ali with religious zeal by participating in central procession. The route of the procession remained completely blocked for all kinds of traffic and all streets connected with the route were closed with barbed wires.

Mourners gathered at Karbala Dadan Shah to participate in the central procession organised by Anjuman Imamia Sindh.

Shops and bazaars along the route remained shuttered and business activities resumed after the procession ended at its assigned destination peacefully.

The mourners including women, children and elderly marched towards Qadamgah Maula Ali and reached there around Maghrib to break their fast. The mourners had brought tabarrukat – replica of Hazrat Ali’s mausoleum -- and zuljanah and headed for Qadam Gah through Universal Chowk, Society Chowk and Lajpat Road area.

Carrying taboot (coffins), zuljanah, tazia and alams, they recited nohas and mersia (elegies) along the way and many beat their chests. Earlier, Allama Asad Raza addressed a majlis before the procession proceedings began.

Police and Rangers were deployed along the procession route and ambulances were on the standby. Bomb Disposal Squad swept the area before the procession started.

Around 600 policemen performed duties along the route. Close circuit television cameras were installed at the gates of Imambargah Karbala Dadan Shah and Qadamgah Maula Ali.

MIRPURKHAS: Youm-i- Ali processions were taken out amid tight security in the city. Police personnel were deployed along all main roads, roundabouts and route of the processions.

Majalis were held in different imambargahs and processions with alam and zuljanah were taken out in the city. They arrived at the Station Chowk roundabout from where they marched through M.A. Jinnah road and culminated at the shrine of Makhan Shah Imambargah.

Later, langar was distributed among the mourners. Dozens of CCTV cameras were installed along the routes to monitor movement of the processions.

Similar processions were brought out in Mirwah Gorchani, Digri, Jhuddo, Naokot, Kot Ghulam Muhammad, Sindhri, Phuladyyoon, Jhilori etc. No untoward incident was reported from any part of the district.

BADIN: Mourning processions, religious gatherings and distribution of food marked the martyrdom day of Hazrat Ali (R.A) on Saturday. Several processions were taken out in various towns of the district.

The main procession began from Kashyana-i-Zainab and passed through Kazia bridge and Mehran Chowk before concluding at the starting point. Strict security arrangements were made by the district administration.

SUKKUR: The martyrdom day of Hazrat Ali (R.A) was observed with religious zeal.

A number of religious organisations organised seminars to pay glowing tribute to the son-in-law of the Prophet (PBUH).

A tazia procession was taken out from Markazi Imambargah Gharibababd, which passed through Shikarpur Road, Minara Road, Station Road, Mahal and Ghanta Ghar Chowk and terminated at the Markazi imambargah.

A large number of mourners accompanied the procession, reciting nohas and beating their chests. A heavy contingent of police escorted the procession to provide it security. All shops on the route of tazia procession remained closed throughout the day.

Published in Dawn, April 24th, 2022