CHAKWAL, Nov 22: One of the most sensitive Muharram processions of Punjab passed off peacefully in Chakwal city on Thursday.

The major procession in Chakwal district was taken out from Central Imambargah, Sarpak area at 10:30am.

A large gathering was held at Chhapar Bazaar, where Ulema shed light on the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain. They also urged the participants to follow the example of Imam Hussain.

“By the grace of Allah, the procession of Muharram 7 passed peacefully,” District Police Officer (DPO) Kashif Mushtaq Kanju told Dawn. He added that foolproof security measures were in place and the police kept checking people the entire day.

The DPO vowed that the same security arrangements would be made today during the Muharram 8 procession, in Talagang city.

Talagang Road was sealed with barbed wires from Government High School No 1 and Bhoun Road was sealed from Government Girls High School area.

Similarly, the road was also sealed from Tehsil Chowk and all streets which opened to the route of the procession were closed.

Adviser to the Chief Minister Punjab, Raja Ashfaq Sarwar, Regional Police Officer Capt (retired) Mohammad Zubair Hashmi and Commissioner Rawalpindi Division Imdadullah Bosal also supervised the procession and inspected the arrangements.

Talking to mediapersons, Adviser Raja Ashfaq Sarwar said: “The top priority of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is to protect lives of citizens, at any rate and for this we are trying our best.”

Chief Security Officer of Chakwal Police Raja Zohaib Ali told Dawn that 1,400 policemen were deployed at different points of the city. He said two companies of the army and two companies of Rangers were on standby to tackle any untoward situation.

He said 10 DSPs, 20 inspectors, 45 sub-inspectors and 125 assistant sub-inspectors, plus head constables and constables were on duty. He also said 51 firebrand clerics had been banned in the district. More than 250 volunteers were also on duty. — A Correspondent