ISLAMABAD: The 9th of Muharram was observed across Pakistan on Friday with due solemnity and sanctity to pay homage to the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.) – the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) – and his companions in Karbala.
Taziya, Alam and Zuljanah processions would be taken out in all major cities and towns across the country today in memory of martyrs of Karbala and Nohas, marsiayas along with throbbing sounds of self-flagellation will echo around the streets.
In Islamabad, the central procession was taken out from Central Imam Bargah Sector G-6 and it passed through Sectors G-6 and G-7, with the city police, Frontier Corps and paramilitary Rangers deployed at various points along the route.
As many as 1,685 security personnel were deployed across the city, including five deputy police officers, 14 deputy superintendents, 21 police inspectors and 177 officers besides 60 Rangers and 365 FC personnel.
Mobile services were suspended today from 1am to 10pm in these two sectors. Services will also be partially suspended in Sector I-10 and adjacent areas from 6pm to 6am.
Similarly, services are to remain partially suspended in Shahullah Dutta, Bari Imam Noorpur Shah and surrounding areas.
In Punjab, 13 other districts have reportedly been declared sensitive with mobile phone services to remain suspended or affected on Muharram 9 and 10. These include Lahore, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, Gujarat, Jhang, Bhakkar, Leh, Multan, Sahiwal, Chakwal, Rajanpur, Bahawalpur and Rahim Yar Khan.
Meanwhile, in Karachi, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had earlier earmarked Steel Town, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Jaffar-e-Tayyar Society, Malir 15, Future Colony, Dawood Chowrangi, Haji Zakaria Goth as areas where mobile services are either to be suspended or affected till Saturday.
The PTA also specified that mobile services will be partially suspended in Shah Latif Town, Bhittaiabad, Memon Goth Main Market and Bin Qasim Town, among other areas.
Moreover, the Sindh government has imposed a ban on pillion riding across the province under Section 144 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC).
According to the interior ministry, mobile services will also be suspended or partially affected in 14 districts of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) on Muharram 10. These include Peshawar, Abbottabad, Mansehra, Haripur, Kohat Shahr, Hangu, Karam, Orakzai, Bannu Shahr, Lucky Marwat, DI Khan and Tank.
Services were restored at around 9pm on Friday after which they will be suspended again at 8am on Saturday and resume at around 10pm.
Moreover, the Peshawar Bus Service has been suspended for security reasons. According to a spokesperson of the city’s transport department, the Peshawar BRT will not be operating on any of its routes during these two days and the Zu Bicycle sharing system will also remain suspended. Mobile phone and internet services have also been suspended in Quetta for three days.
Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.), along with 72 of his companions including friends and family members, were martyred at the hand of Yazid’s troops at the battle of Karbala in Iraq in 61 AH (680 AD) after Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.) rejected to pledge allegiance for Yazid rule.
Security has been beefed up across the country for the mourning processions and majalis. Law enforcers including police and Rangers along with ladies and gents scouts were deployed all along the route of the main processions.
1685 security personnel will be deployed to secure Islamabad’s main procession whereas in Lahore around 17000 security personnel along with surveillance cameras will be used for security purposes.
The government has decided to suspend mobile phone service in Karachi, Islamabad and in 14 districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Strict security measures are planned to ensure peaceful atmosphere on the occasion of 10th Muharram and special traffic plans for this occasion have been chalked out across the country.
Speakers pay rich tributes to Shaheed-e-Karbala
Speakers paid rich tribute to martyrs of Karbala and termed the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) an emblem of courage and bravery against injustice and oppression, here at the 45th Hussainia Conference held at Raza Hall, here Friday.
Senior politician Makhdoom Shah Mahmood Qureshi chaired the conference and stated, “The martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) will be remembered forever.” Hazrat Imam Hussain faced oppression with patience, said Qureshi. He strongly condemned incidents of desecration of the Holy Quran in Sweden and Denmark and stressed upon Muslim Ummah to raise effective voices.
“The message of Hazrat Imam Hussain is not only for one religion or region but it was a universal message.” He recalled that the UN termed March 15 as a special day to create awareness about Islamophobia. He also lauded the expression of unity by Ulema from various schools of thought.
Allama Akram Mujahid, Dr Siddique Qadiri, and some others also spoke and stated that the message of the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain RA would continue to guide people to stand against cruelty.
On the occasion, Zain Hussain Qureshi, Zain Baloch, Ishaaq Baloch, Tariq Qadiri, and many others were also present.
