Ashura celebrated across the country amid tight security, calls for unity and tolerance

MURREE/ KOHAT/ RAWALPINDI/ PESHAWAR/ ISLAMABAD:

More than 12,000 police and personnel were deployed in Rawalpindi and Islamabad as Ashura processions began on Friday, with extensive security measures including snipers on high-rise buildings, drones, a custom CNIC scanning app and a complete suspension of mobile and internet services in Rawalpindi.

Rawalpindi

The central Rawalpindi procession emerged from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain, Teli Mohalla, where over 8,000 police and personnel were on duty. Among them, more than 5,500 were assigned to the central motorcade alone, and more than 1,200 traffic police officers also performed their duties. More than 1,000 volunteers helped with security.

All roads leading to the mourning processions were closed, with the city monitored by more than 2,000 Safe City and other cameras and continuous surveillance from the Safe City and central control room. Snipers were deployed on high-rise buildings and surveillance was also carried out by drones. Participants in the procession were only allowed to enter after body searches, with police officers carrying out checks on the women. Metal detectors and gates were also in place.

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Rawalpindi Police has developed a special identification and scanning application that can instantly scan the CNIC of any person. Security personnel used the app at entry pickets and bus stations, checking the identities of processions.

The Rawalpindi administration has imposed a ban on passenger travel while mobile phone and internet services remain completely suspended. Standing on roofs and at windows along procession routes was prohibited, as was keeping stones or bricks on roofs or bringing matches, cigarettes, lighters or weapons into processions.

Emergency was declared at hospitals, with 350 closed-circuit cameras installed and a control room established, with Governor Saleem Haider, commissioner, RPO, CPO and deputy commissioner conducting visits.

“Complete implementation of the code of conduct and SOPs issued by the Punjab government will be ensured,” the CPO said.

The first procession went out from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain to Teli Mohalla, the second from Imambargah Colonel Maqbool, the third from Imambargah Hifazat Ali Shah, the fourth from Imambargah Shohda-e-Karbala to Tire Bazaar, the fifth from Imambargah Darbar Shah Chan Chiragh Badshah and the sixth from Imambargah Baltistania. All processions were to converge at Purana Qila Urdu Bazaar Chowk, with participants offering Zuhr and Asr prayers at Fawara Chowk, while Maghrib and Isha prayers are to be offered on Jamia Masjid Road.

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The central procession will travel along designated routes and end late at night. At the request of the administration, the police will receive assistance from Rangers, while Pakistan Army troops will remain on guard.

Walled

In Murree, the central Ashura procession was expected to emerge on Mall Road, which was completely closed for all traffic and the road cleared, said DPO Dr Muhammad Raza Tanveer. Tourists entering Murree must have a confirmed hotel reservation, while locals will only be allowed entry on presentation of their CNIC. Movement in all places in Murree, except Mall Road, will remain unrestricted, with additional police personnel deployed on alternative routes to maintain traffic flow. The DPO urged people to download the ‘Safe Tourism Murree’ app to get real-time traffic and safety updates.

Islamabad

In Islamabad, more than 4,000 police officers and personnel were deployed at imambargahs, procession routes, religious gatherings and mosques for Friday prayers. Inspector General (IG) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi personally supervised all security arrangements for Ashura, with DIG Safe City/Traffic Haroon Joiya, DIG Muhammad Jawad Tariq, DIG Security Rana Umar Farooq and other senior officers conducting field visits to Imambargahs and procession routes.

IG Rizvi said, “All officers and staff must perform their duties during Muharram with complete honesty, dedication and spirit of service,” reiterating that the Islamabad Police “remains committed to ensuring the safety of mourners and maintaining law and order in Ashura.”

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According to Islamabad Police, the procession “will start from Imambargah Musa Kazim and pass through Khayaban-e-Sir Syed before returning to Imambargah Musa Kazim”.

For this reason, police noted that traffic would be diverted from various roads, announcing alternative routes. “Citizens are requested to use alternative routes during the procession,” police said, adding that procession participants “should park their vehicles and motorcycles in designated parking areas.”

Meanwhile, Senate President Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, in a message on the occasion of Ashura, called the day “an eternal symbol of truth, righteousness, patience, sacrifice and steadfastness against oppression.” He added: “The tragedy of Karbala highlights the clear distinction between truth and lies in every age. »

Stating that Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions made great sacrifices in Karbala “to safeguard the religion of Islam, human dignity and the principles of justice and fairness”, the President said the occasion “conveys the message of promoting unity, tolerance, fraternity and national solidarity”. He called on the nation to adopt in its character and collective behavior the noble values ​​for which the Ahl-e-Bait (RA) offered eternal sacrifices.

Peshawar

More than 10,000 security personnel were deployed in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), as 12 Ashura processions began across the city, said Dr Mian Saeed, Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) of Peshawar.

He added that the city center was completely cordoned off and mobile phone services partially suspended, with surveillance carried out by drones, Safe City cameras and 171 CCTV cameras. An anti-drone system was also installed, while three command posts were established and police checkpoints set up at entry points to the city.

The CCPO noted that the Pakistan Army and other security agencies were working alongside the KP Police to ensure order and security amid the processions. “We hope that Ashura will take place peacefully across the country today,” he said.

The first procession went out from Syed Ali Shah Rizvi Imambargah, passing through its traditional routes before ending at Agha Mustafa Shah Imambargah.

Additionally, Rescue 1122 deployed special medical teams in case of emergency, while water and refreshment stalls were set up at various locations along the procession routes.

KP Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi in a special message on the occasion said that “Karbala is not just an event, but the title of eternal victory of humanity in the battle between truth and falsehood.”

He said the sacrifice of Imam Hussain (AS) “shaked the places of oppression and made eternal the supremacy of truth”, adding that “staying united against oppression, tyranny, fascism and injustice is the need of the hour”.

Further, CM Afridi said, “We must embrace the message of Karbala to strengthen Pakistan, promote national unity and uphold Islamic values.”

Meanwhile, Provincial Information Minister Shafi Jan called the Karbala tragedy “an eternal saga of patience, steadfastness, selflessness, sacrifice and steadfastness for the sake of truth, which will serve as a torch for all humanity until the end of time.”

The minister paid tribute to Imam Hussein (AS) and his companions, declaring that “their great sacrifice for the supremacy of truth and against lies, oppression and tyranny constitutes an unprecedented chapter in the history of humanity.”

Jan “stressed the need to promote national unity, inter-sect harmony and brotherhood,” calling on “revered scholars, elders and people of all schools of thought to fully play their role in promoting peace, tolerance and mutual respect so that an atmosphere of peace and security can be maintained in the province.”

Senator Aimal Wali Khan, central chairman of the Awami National Party (ANP), in his message said that the great sacrifices of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions remain “a shining symbol of resistance against tyranny”.

He noted that KP remains plagued by terrorism, insecurity and bloodshed, and innocent citizens, security personnel, political workers, religious scholars and youth continue to be targeted. He called for a “clear, serious and coherent strategy” to eliminate terrorism, and said all schools of thought should play their role in promoting religious harmony, mutual respect, unity and tolerance.

“A lasting peace is not established by weapons, but by justice, the supremacy of the Constitution and the rights of the people,” he said.

Kohat

The Ashura to Kohat mourning procession emerged from Bannu Bazaar, taking its traditional routes to reach Milad Chowk, where it will converge with the Qaumi Imambargah and Syed Habib Imambargah processions.

More than 2,100 police officers were deployed in the city, procession routes were closed and mobile phone services were suspended across the district.