KARACHI: The Ashura processions taken out in Karachi and other cities and towns of the province culminated peacefully amid strict security arrangements on Saturday.

No untoward incident was reported from any part of the province as police and other allied agencies had taken effective security measures.

Mobile phone service remained suspended throughout the day on the routes of the processions as part of security measures.

In Karachi, the main procession commenced from Nishtar Park and culminated at Hussainia Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar.

DIG-South Irfan Ali Baloch said strict security arrangements were made for the main procession of 10 Muharram. He said more than 6,000 policemen, in addition to Rangers, police commandos and lady searchers, were deployed for the security.

Besides, combing operations were carried out across the metropolis by the police and Counter Terrorism Department to keep a strict watch on miscreants.

Meanwhile, Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon appreciated the performance of the police and other law enforcement agencies for adopting the best strategy and utilising professional capacity, which ensured peaceful Ashura across Sindh.

The Majlis Wahdat-i- Muslimeen also appreciated the efforts of the provincial government and law enforcers.

In Hyderabad, the Ashura was observed with great reverence amidstelab o rate security arrangements.

The central procession’s route was monitored through close circuit television cameras. The CCTV system was installed in DSP’s city office which is located in the midst of procession’s route.

The central procession was brought out from Qadam Gah Maula Ali in the morning and headed for Karbala Dadan Shah.

The mourners in Latifabad gathered in Imamia Trust and then headed for Qadam Gah.

In Mirpurkhas, processions were taken out from many small towns and gathered at the Railway Station roundabout and moved towards the Makhan Shah Imambargah.

In Badin, the main procession emerged from central Imambargah Kashana-i-Zainab which was joined with a number of small processions and marched on the traditional route and reached Qazia Wah chowk.

In Dadu, more than 30 small processions emerged from different imambargahs of the city and joined the central Ashura procession at Imambargah Hyderi which then culminated at the New Chowk amid strict security arrangements.

Some 200 more processions were taken out in Mehar, Khairpur Nathan Shah, Johi and other cities of Dadu district.

In Jamshoro district, the mourning procession was taken out from central Imambargah Kotri and ended at Quba Mosque after passing through its traditional routes.

In Nawabshah, the procession was taken out from Imambargah Murtazvi under foolproof security arrangements and ended after reaching Imambargah Murtazvi, Muni Bazaar.

In Khairpur, the main procession was taken out from Imambargah Anjuman Hyderi and reached Chhatri Chowk, where more than 200 small and large mourning processions joined it.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2023