The mourning procession of 9th Muharram in the city ended peacefully amid extraordinary security on Friday.
The mourning procession started from Nishtar Park and culminated at Hussainia Iranian Imambargah, Kharadar, after passing through Numaish, MA Jinnah Road, Empress Market, Regal Chowk, Light House and City Court Road.
Law enforcement agencies were put on high alert and large contingents of police were deployed for security of the procession. The provincial government of Sindh has already declared public holidays on Friday and Saturday.
Sindh Home Minister Sohail Anwar Siyal accompanied with Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ghulam Haider Jamali and Additional IG Mushtaq Mahar visited the central procession and reviewed the security measures. However, Director General (DG) Rangers Bilal Akhtar also visited the procession.
Cell phone and mobile internet service on 9th of Muhrram remained suspended from 8 am to 10 pm. However, the government intends to repeat this practice on 10th Muhrram as well for security purpose.
Aerial surveillance of the procession was also conducted by the Rangers. According to a press release issued on October 22, 2015, by the police sources, 6,155 police personnel were deployed for the 9th Muharram, However, Sindh reserved police, rapid response force and reserved platoons and zonal and district police had also been put on high alert and 28 SSPs, 65 DSPs and 82 lady police constables, 78 mobiles, 62 motorcycles and seven armored vehicles were deployed for patrolling.
The home department had under section 144 CrPC imposed complete ban on pillion riding from 7th to 10th of Muharram in Karachi, Hyderabad, Khairpur, Sukkur, Jamshoro, Sanghar and Shikarpur till midnight of Ashura. However, the federal government and the home department announced suspension of mobile phone services in Karachi, Shikarpur, Qambar Shahdadkot, Larkana, Khairpur, Sukkur, Badin and Hyderabad on the 9th and 10th Muharram.
