KARACHI: Law enforcement agencies made elaborate security measures for processions and religious gathering being held on Sunday in connection with Eid-i-Miladun Nabi celebrations, officials said.

This year, the authorities have enhanced security to meet any eventuality in the wake of recent incidents of terrorism in certain parts of the country and killing of two suspected Islamic State-Khorasan (IS-K) militants, who were reportedly planning a suicide attack on a 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal procession, in a an encounter in Karachi.

“Security threats are always there for such a religious activity,” Inspector General of Sindh Police Ghulam Nabi Memon told Dawn on Saturday. “This time we are more concerned for security with reference to recent terrorist activities in other provinces and killing of two high-profile terrorists in Karachi.”

He said that the Karachi police chief and SSPs of all districts have prepared elaborate security plans. Besides, the Sindh police in coordination with intelligence agencies had been doing its best to provide foolproof security to every rally, he said.

Pillion-riding ban

The Sindh government had announced a ban on pillion riding in many parts of the province.

Cell phone services were also expected to be suspended in Karachi and other parts of the province as part of security arrangements.

On Saturday, citizens in certain areas of Karachi also complained about suspension of mobile phone services or poor signals.

The police said several big and small rallies would be taken out from different parts of the metropolis from Saturday evening till Sunday morning. Such rallies would join the main Eid-i-Miladun Nabi procession on M.A. Jinnah Road on Sunday.

A traffic police spokesperson said that traffic arrangements had been finalised for the main 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal procession on M.A. Jinnah Road.

The main procession would start from famous Memon Masjid in Kharadar on Sunday afternoon and traffic would be diverted on alternative roads/routes, the spokesperson added.

Published in Dawn, October 9th, 2022