KARACHI: More than 55,000 personnel of police and Rangers have taken foolproof security measures for thousands of majalis and Ashura processions to be held on Tuesday (today) across Sindh.

Like other parts of the country, mobile phone and internet services would remain suspended in Karachi and other major cities as part of a comprehensive security plan. The provincial government had already imposed a ban on pillion riding.

Officials said that 46,490 policemen were deployed for security of thousands of majalis and processions in the six divisions — Karachi, Hyderabad, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Larkana and Shaheed Benazirabad — of Sindh.

In addition to police, over 9,400 personnel of Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) would be deployed for security of Ashura processions across the province.

In Karachi, the route of main procession from Numaish to Tower has been sealed by placing containers.

A total of 12,000 policemen would be deployed for Ashura in Karachi, where total 5,056 majalis and 5,520 processions would be taken out. Around 7,000 policemen in addition to 4,960 Rangers personnel would guard the main Ashura procession that would culminate at Kharadar.

DIG-South Sharjil Kharal said Pakistan Army would be on standby in case of any emergency.

In Hyderabad, total 11,000 policemen would provide security to 2,376 majalis and 8,623 processions.

In Mirpurkhas, 1,784 policemen would be deployed for the security of 602 majalis and 1,182 processions.

In Sukkur, 7,706 policemen would be deployed while 5,383 policemen would guard Ashura processions in Shaheed Benazirabad range.

In Larkana, a total of 10,042 policemen would be deployed to maintain law and order during 2,868 majalis and 7,174 processions.

9th Muharram procession concludes peacefully

Like other parts of the province, the 9th Muharram procession that began from Nishtar Park on Monday culminated peacefully in the evening amid tight security.

DIG Kharal told Dawn that the procession ended peacefully as no untoward incident was reported from any part of the metropolis.

As many as 5,313 policemen and officers were deployed for security and monitoring of the main routes and places of 9th Muharram procession.

On Monday, cell phone and internet services remained suspended throughout the day and restored in the evening.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2022