Rawalpindi:
Six major grief processes are held in Rawal Pindi and Islamabad to commemorate the Chehlum of Imam Hussain (RA) and Martyrs of Karbala on Friday.
The processions take place in the middle of unprecedented security measures, including a complete shutdown of Metro Bus Service, Internet and Mobile Networks.
All routes for processions were sealed from 1 p.m. 1 Thursday night. A total of 8,500 police personnel have been deployed and all participants are monitored via drones and 500 CCTV cameras. To carry weapons, teeth or batons is strictly forbidden.
Five locations along the processional routes have been declared very sensitive, with rankers and commands implemented for additional security.
A control room has been activated and the army’s triple brigade remains on high alarm throughout the day. Mounted police units are also on duty.
The first procession begins at 1 p.m. 12.30 from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain in Teeli Mohalla and reaches the central Imambargah -Oberst Maqbool Hussain at. 13:30.
Other processions include them from Imambargah Hifazat Ali Shah at. 14:30, Imambargah Shaheedan-e-Karbala (Tire Bazaar) at. 16.45, Imambargah Darbar Shah Chan Charagh at. 15.30 and Imambargah Baltistaniya at. 13.00.
These processions end at Imambargah Qadeem around 2 p.m. 12:30 after passing through Murree Road, selection Chowk, Iqbal Road, Fawara Chowk, Raja Bazaar and other key areas.
Participants perform traditional grief rituals at each intersection. Congregation prayers for Zuhr, ASR, Maghrib and Isha are held in Fawara Chowk and Jamia Masjid Road respectively. Water, tea and medical camps are set up along the routes.
The Deputy Commissioner has introduced ยง 144, which has a mandate for closing all markets, squares and mosques along the processional routes.
Residents are forbidden to stand on roofs, balconies or windows. The entrance is limited only to the review of gates and all participants will be searched across three security layers.
Double riding on motorcycles is prohibited and all parking and building materials are blocked along the routes. Commands will also be stationed on roofs along both sides of the routes, especially the two-furring stretch from Fawara Chowk to Dangi Khoi, which has been marked as a high-risk zone and will be personally monitored by top-town officials.
Female police and commands have also been deployed for extra security.
