Youm-e-Ali (RA) processions are being carried out under tight security cover across the country, as cellular services remain active in Lahore and Karachi even though the government had announced blocking them in some parts of the two cities.
In addition to the imposition of Section 144, which bans a gathering of over four people at one place for rallies and protests, pillion riding has also been banned in Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Multan and Quetta.
In Karachi, the Bomb Disposal Squad is checking the procession route in Karachi before letting people through while police snipers have been deployed on buildings along the route. The district government has sealed the routes from Gurumandir to Tower areas with containers.
In Lahore, 5,000 policemen and commandos have been deployed for security of the procession. Police are searching people passing through the procession route thrice before letting them in while 100 CTV cameras have been especially installed to monitor the security arrangements.
Processions have already started in Karachi and Lahore and Multan and security officials are hoping that the day will pass without any untoward incident taking place.
