Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), grandson of Prophet Muhammad (SAW), was observed with religious solemnity amid tight security measures across the country on Tuesday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
In Karachi, authorities placed containers on the route of processions, and Sindh Rangers and Karachi police personnel have been deployed to ensure security for mourners. Police commandos have also been deployed on the high-rise buildings to keep a close eye on the procession route and to avoid any untoward incident.
All processions gathered firstly at Nishtar Park, Karachi where the main procession of Chehlum Imam Hussain (AS) was taken out.
A bomb-disposal squad searched the route of the prerecession. Karachi police have been monitoring the procession routes and majalis with CCTV cameras.
Karachi traffic wardens also performed their duties to ensure the smooth flow of traffic in the rest of the areas as procession routes were blocked with containers.
One of the main processions took out from Martin Road that reached Nishter Park at 1 pm where mourners attended a majlis. The main procession was taken out from Nishtar Park and crossing over its traditional routes—Shah-e-Khurasan, Paradi Street, MA Jinnah Road, Bolton Market, Khardar—was due to be culminated at Imambargah Hussania Irania.
Lahore
In Lahore, the main procession of Chehlum Imam Hussain (AS) was taken out from Haveli Alaf Shah, Dehli Gate. A number of sabils (makeshift milk-providers stalls) have been installed along the procession route.
The main procession crossed Mosque Wazir Khan, Akbari Gate, Babaul-Hawaij, Mohalla Shian, and reached Chowk Nawaz Sahib at Nisar Haveli. Mourners offered zuhrain prayers at Azadar Rang Mahal Chowk.
The procession then reached Purani Kotwali Chowk, Sunehri Masjid and crossing from Tibi City, Hakeema Wala Bazaar then reached Bhati Gate and finally culminated at Karbala Gamay Shah.
A number of women mourners also took out a procession at Canal Road, Lahore and a few of them also were barefooted to remember the great sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS).
On the last day of Urs of Hazrat Data Gunj Bakhsh and Chehlum Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS), Lahore CCPO ordered foolproof security arrangements. More than 10,000 police personnel have been deployed on security duty on Urs and Chehlum's procession.
Hyderabad
In Hyderabad, the main procession was taken out from Qadamgah Mola Ali after the Zuhr prayers and it will culminate at Anjuman Imamia, Sindh.
Quetta
In Quetta, Balochistan, the main procession took out from Imam Bargah Hussani Nachari, Suhuda Chowk, Alamdar Road that as culminated at Bihisht-e-Zainab graveyard in Marri Abad. Another procession was taken out from the Hazara graveyard. Provincial authorities have deployed 2,000 police personnel, 840 Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel, and three Quick Response Force (QRF) teams. Pakistan Army was at standby in Quetta. Quetta administration has put a ban on the pillion riding across the route of the processions.
Muzaffarabad
In Muzaffarabad, Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK), the main procession of Chehlum Imam Hussain (R.A) was taken out from Pir Alam Shah Bukhari Imambargah.
Reporter Ashraf Khan