The city’s main procession of 8th Muharram to pay homage to the martyrs of Karbala passed through its traditional route and culminated at Hussainian Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar neighbourhood on Wednesday evening under strict security measures that included a ban on pillion riding and suspension of mobile phone service. Processions on a smaller scale were held in Ancholi in Federal B area, Pehlwan Goth in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Malir’s Jaffar-e-Taiyar, Old and New Rizia Society, Qasba Colony, Abbas Town and Soldier Bazaar which later joined the main procession that began from Nishtar Park, and passed through its traditional route. A large number of people, including women and children, participated in the central procession. The majlis-e-Aza was held at around 10am, and was addressed by noted Shia scholar Maulana Kumail Mehdavi in which he highlighted the matchless sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA). Mourners participating in the procession proceeded from Nishtar Park to Sir Shahnawaz Bhutto Road, Father Jaminis Road and Mehfil-e-Shah-e-Khurasan before emerging on MA Jinnah Road. Following its conventional route, the procession terminated at the Hussainian Iranian Imambargah peacefully. Personnel from law-enforcement agencies (LEAs) were deployed to protect the main procession as well as the majalis. The procession was also monitored at a command and control centre set up at the central police office as well as Civic Centre through security cameras. Security personnel were also deployed at buildings’ rooftops to monitor proceedings of the procession. Scouts organisations, rescue services and city administration had also made necessary arrangements to facilitate participants of the procession. The provincial home department has imposed a three-day ban on pillion riding in the city (from Muharram 8th to Ashura), while cellular phone service will also remain suspended till the midnight of Ashura. An emergency has already been declared in all public sector hospitals of Karachi and other parts of the province and availability of doctors, paramedics and medicines has been ensured. Apart from more than 2,000 volunteers, more than 6,000 law enforcers were deployed en-route the main procession. No participant was allowed to enter into the procession from the front. Three protective circles were formed by scouts, police and Rangers which surrounded the procession, while sharpshooters were also deployed on over 150 ooftops along the route. Staying ahead of the procession, bomb disposal teams also cleared the area. All link roads were sealed, commercial areas closed and movement other than for the procession remained banned. The procession route was sealed as shops and markets situated on both sides of the MA Jinnah Road were closed under the security plan issued by the Karachi police. Meanwhile, the traffic police have also issued alternative routes plan for commuters, following the blockage of MA Jinnah Road and its surrounding roads due to Muharram processions. Before and after the procession, top police officials visited the notified route and were briefed on security arrangements by senior officers. IGP Sindh Dr Syed Kaleem Imam also visited the command and control centre at CPO and also monitored the processions carried out from parts of city and security arrangement through CCTV cameras. He also directed the police officials concerned to ensure the security of the mourners and mourning processions, adding that strong coordination between police, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies needed to be ensured. “I will myself monitor the Muharram security arrangements through command and control center,” he said. A total 69,545, police personnel have been deployed to perform security duties across the province including 17558 in Karachi, 16816 in Hyderabad, 2237 in Mirpurkhas, 9280 in Shaheed Benazirabad, 8258 in Sukkar and 15404 in Larkana. Published in Daily Times, September 20th 2018.