To commemorate Yaum-i-Ashura, mourners staged processions around the country on Wednesday in spite of increased security measures.
Every year on Muharram 10, Yaum-i-Ashura is held solemnly as a tribute to Imam Husain, the Holy Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) grandson, and the other Karbala martyrs.
According to state-run Radio Pakistan, President Asif Ali Zardari stated that the Karbala martyrs had taught the Muslim Ummah to stand up against all forms of injustice and to speak out against all forms of evil.
He urged the country to recognize the needs of the impoverished and needy while also standing for patience, diligence, and fairness.
Zardari also emphasized the need for cooperation and the necessity to draw lessons from the Karbala catastrophe while battling the forces of evil and brutality with resilience.
Similar words were spoken by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who counseled people to persevere through hardship and take heart and fortitude from the Karbala martyrs, according to Radio Pakistan.
In order to combat the threats to the nation from both the inside and the outside, he urged equality, tolerance, togetherness, and discipline within ourselves.
Later, as processions were held, he praised security and law enforcement organizations for upholding order and peace, stating that the day went by incident-free.
Imam Hussain’s worldview, according to Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, “is a torch for all humanity.”
The Ministry of Interior cited Naqvi as saying, “The grandson of the Prophet Imam Hussain (RA) along with his family members and companions drank the cup of martyrdom for the sake of the truth,” in a post on X.
“The most remarkable tale of the elevation of truth and truthfulness is the Karbala incident.”
Later, he credited the government’s arrangements for the day’s tranquility and highlighted the contribution of academics to peacekeeping.
In order to maintain safety and security throughout the month of Muharram, the interior ministry authorized the deployment of the army throughout the nation. Additionally, it outlawed the use of drones in majalis and processions held nationwide till Ashura.
Up to 59,000 Sindh police officers were stationed to guard processions throughout the province in the meantime. Today, carrying licensed guns was prohibited, as was pillion riding throughout the province.
Users and tracking monitors also noticed limitations on Facebook access.
Lahore
The main procession of Lahore began in the morning at Nisar Haveli in Mohalla Chillah Bibian and ended at Karbala Ghamay Shah Imambargah.
Six circle officers, 210 senior traffic wardens, 140 patrolling officers, and more than 1,000 wardens were assigned to their positions, according to the Lahore Traffic Police.
Karachi
The main procession in Karachi started at 9:40 a.m. and ended when it arrived at Hussainiya Iraniyan Imam Bargah by its customary established routes.
MA Jinnah Road remained blocked from Guru Mandir to Tower for security concerns.
According to the traffic plan published by the local government, individuals traveling from Nazimabad could take Garden to Lasbela Chowk and then go towards their destination along Nishtar Road.
Teen Hatti could be taken by those arriving from Liaquatabad to Lasbela Chowk, where they could turn left to head towards Central Jail (Martin Road).
Individuals traveling from Hassan Square to PP Chowrangi could take Kashmir Road to Shahrah-i-Quaideen and Jail Flyover to Nishtar Road (Lasbela Chowk) from Tin Hatti.
In the meanwhile, travelers might turn right at the society light signal and head along Kashmir Road to reach Numaish from Sharea Faisal to Shahrah-i-Quaideen (Noorani Kebab).
From Bahadur Yar Jung Road (Soldier Bazar), those traveling from Central Jail Gate (Jamshed Road) to Guru Mandir MA Jinnah Road could go on to their destination.
Traffic heading towards its goal from Anklesaria to Gul Plaza on the right and Coast Guard Holy Family Hospital on the left could be routed via Garden Zoo and MA Jinnah Road.
In the meanwhile, all commercial and heavy traffic from Super Highway and Gulbarg heading towards MA Jinnah Road will be rerouted via the Habib Bank Flyover, State Avenue Road, Shershah, from Liaquatabad No. 10 to Nazimabad Chowrangi No. 2.
According to the traffic plan, it will be feasible to return to Mauripur along the same route.
According to the announcement, all commercial and heavy traffic heading into the city from the National Highway will be detoured via Sharea Faisal, Rashid Minhas Road, Stadium Road, Sir Shah Sulaiman Road, Hassan Square, Liaquatabad No. 10, Nazimabad Chowrangi No. 2, Habib Bank Flyover, State Avenue Road, Shershah, and Mauripur, using the same route back.
According to the traffic plan, all vehicles, regardless of size, will be redirected to Bahadur Yar Jung Road (Soldier Bazar) instead of continuing on the procession path beyond Guru Mandir Chowk.
It further stated that all vehicle types are not allowed to enter MA Jinnah Road, with the exception of those that have a sticker allowing them to participate in the parade. Vehicles bearing stickers will be permitted to enter the procession via the Shahrah-i-Quaideen, Society Light Signal.
The following routes were specified for processional participants in the traffic plan:
- Individuals arriving from Nazimabad Lasbela, Albela, Soldier Bazar No. 3 Light Signal to Nimaish, right side Garden Jamaat Khana.
- Liaquatabad, Jahangir Road, Tin Hatti, Guru Mandir, Numaish.
- Light Signal from Society to Numaish.
- University Road, the ancient Sabzi Mandi, Kashmir Road, the Society Light Signal, and Gulistan-i-Jauhar and Gulshan-i-Iqbal lead to Numaish.
Peshawar
According to the City Traffic Police, the parade in Peshawar started at GT Road, went through the Mukri Bazaar service road, and was scheduled to end at 4 p.m.
The police urged the public to refrain from making needless travel plans for Ashura and to report any traffic-related issues or questions by calling 1915.
