PESHAWAR: Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, was observed peacefully in the provincial capital and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Saturday amid strict security.

Processions were taken out in the morning and Majalis were held in the evening on the day in various areas of the province.

Capital City Police Officer Syed Ashfaq Anwar told journalists that police had made elaborate security arrangements to ensure security of processions in Peshawar. He said that about 13,500 personnel were deployed to ensure security of mourners.

Mr Anwar said that joint efforts of police, district administration, Rescue 1122, Peshawar Electric Supply Company and local peace committees helped to ensure peaceful Ashura. He said that to ensure security, interior city was sealed on sixth of Muharram.

Governor appreciates police and admin for arrangements

Governor Ghaulam Ali appreciated police and civil administration for making foolproof security arrangements for Ashura.

In Dera Ismail Khan, the main procession of Ashura was taken out from Imambargah Bammun Shah.

About 16 small and big processions from other parts of the city passed through their traditional routes and reached Kotli Imam Hussain.

Free meal and water were also arranged at different points on the routes of processions.

The district was divided into four zones and eight sectors with deploying 7,774 police personnel to maintain peace during Muharram.

Mobile phone service remained suspended in all parts of the district as part of security measures since the evening of 8th Muharram while law enforcement personnel were deployed on the routes of processions besides ensuring monitoring through CCTV cameras. Checkpoints were set up at 100 different places, including the entry and exit points of the city.

Different streets were sealed and bomb disposal squad thoroughly checked the routes of processions.

Aushura was also observed peacefully in Abbottabad under tight security where the main procession ended after passing through the city. The main procession was held under the auspices of Imambargah Anjuman Asgaria Imamiyyah. Hasnain Raza Turabi, a known religious scholar of Fiqh Jafaria, addressed the Majlis.

Like other parts of Khyber Pukhtunkhwa, Ashura was observed peacefully in different parts of Haripur. The district is declared sensitive every year during Muharram.

Possessions were taken out from Imambargah Qasar-i-Abi Talib Mankraey in Banda Munir Khan and Panjkatha area of Khanpur that culminated at designated points amid tight security.

Mobile phone service remained suspended on the occasion while processions were monitored through CCTV cameras. A large number of police was also deployed for the security of the mourners.

Speakers on the occasion highlighted the sacrifices of 72 members of the family of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

They urged people to understand and follow the spirit of the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain.

Stressing the need for becoming true believers, they asked the Muslims to exhibit unity against the anti-Islam forces.

Ashura was also observed with religious zeal in Manshera. Processions were taken out from different imambargahs in the city and its suburbs.

The main procession was taken out from Imambargah Hussania Muftiabad that marched through its traditional routes and ended peacefully.

Zakirs paid rich tributes to the grandsons of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) for the greatest sacrifices rendered by them for Islam instead of bowing down to oppressor regime.

In Kohat division, processions were taken out amid tight security of police, Frontier Constabulary and Frontier Corps.

In Orakzai tribal district, all the security arrangements made for the 10th of Muharram would remain intact till 12th of Muharram.

The main procession of 12th Muharram would emerge from Darwazi Manikhel at 8am and conclude at 2pm on Monday.

On Friday night, processions were taken out from 83 imambagahs in Orakzai, four in Hangu and six in Kohat district.

In Kohat, the 11th of Muharram processions were also held in Ustarzai, Sherkot and Marai areas under tight security on Sunday.

Published in Dawn, July 31st, 2023