The chehlum of Imam Hussain (AS) was observed on Sunday across the country amid strict security measures taken by the federal and provincial law enforcement authorities.
The chehlum observance takes place 40 days after the Day of Ashura and commemorates the martyrdom of Holy Prophet’s (PBUH) grandson and his companions by the Umayyad army in Karbala.
Lahore and Karachi saw a heavy deployment of security personal especially in the areas through which the procession passed.
All roads leading to the route of the procession remained closed and walk-through gates were installed at several entry points to prevent unwarranted entry.
Security was beefed up throughout procession routes and traffic police were assigned to divert traffic away from the procession’s route.
In Lahore, the chehlum procession coincided with annual Urs of Hazrat Ali Hajveri. According to details, over 402 processions were held in the city, while around 681 majalis were also organised.
In addition, contingents of Punjab Rangers patrolled the city while Rescue 1122 remained on high alert during the course of the procession.
In Karachi, roads leading to MA Jinnah Road were blocked and containers were placed from Numaish Chowrangi to Tower for security reasons.
In addition, the Sindh home department issued a notification for the ban on pillion riding and the prohibition of the display of armaments, while mobile services were also suspended in several parts of the province.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government had also imposed section 144 in different parts of the province to ensure peace and communal harmony during the occasion.
In Peshawar, mobile service remained partially suspended and thousands of police and Frontier Constabulary (FC) personnel were deployed.
Every mourning procession was provided three SPs, six DSPs, five inspectors besides 400 traffic police employees, traffic mobiles, rider’s squad and fork-lifters in Peshawar.
Similar measures were also deployed in other cities including Faisalabad, Multan, and Rawalpindi.