KARACHI: A number of mourning processions were taken out in the metropolis amidst tight security on Thursday to mark Muharram 9. Muharram is being observed in Karachi, like in other parts of the country, with due solemnity to pay a tribute to the martyrs of Karbala. Thousands of mourners participated in processions on Thursday to pay homage to Imam Hussain (AS) and his followers who laid down their lives for Islam in Karbala 1,400 years ago. As the holy month began, special security plans were devised on both provincial and federal level in order to ensure the safety of Muharram processions. While heavy contingents of security personnel were deployed in major cities of Pakistan, small city administrations followed suit by taking tight security measures. As a part of Sindh government’s strict security plan for the holy month, over seven thousand police personnel, Rangers and other law enforcement agencies (LEAs) were deployed around the routes of Muharram processions. The provincial government also decided to impose a ban on pillion riding till 10th of Muharram-ul-Haram and suspend cell phone service in the areas close to routes of main processions. Altogether, 69,545, police officials were deployed in different parts of Sindh. These officials were instructed to ensure foolproof security during the holy month. Out of these police officials 17,558 officials were stationed in Karachi, 16,816 were appointed in Hyderabad, 2,237 in Mirpurkhas, 9,280 in Shaheed Benazirabad, 8,258 in Sukkar and 15,404 officials were stationed in Larkana. Sindh Inspector General of Police (IGP) Syed Kaleem said that he would monitor the Muharram security arrangements through command and control centre. Meanwhile, on Thursday, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Karachi Traffic Police Ahmed Ishaq Jahangir visited the routes of main processions. According to a spokesman of traffic police, DIG Ahmed Ishaq reviewed the deployment of traffic police personnel on the route of the procession. During his visit, the DIG was apprised regarding the deployment of traffic police officials and on the routes of the main processions and also briefed regarding alternative routes mapped out by the traffic police to ensure smooth flow of traffic. Previously, the traffic police also issued a comprehensive roadmap especially for 8th, 9th and 10th of Muharram-ul-Haram. The map was issued to regulate traffic flow and divert it to alternative routes during the Muharram processions. Reportedly, a number of traffic police officials and wardens were also deployed before 8th Muharram to direct the flow of traffic and aid road users. Reportedly, a total of 3,513 processions are being held in the province during Muharram and out of these processions, about 1,378 processions would pass through ‘sensitive’ areas. On the other hand, processions are being taken out from various areas of Karachi, while Majalis are also being held. This year, just like every year, the city’s main procession will be taken out from Nishtar Park today and conclude at Imambargah Hussainia Irania in the evening. Meanwhile, a large number of people across the metropolis have volunteered to put up stalls to serve food and beverages to the processions. A Karachi resident Safdar Chishti told Daily Times, “I feel very good when I distribute water to thirsty people.” According to Safdar Chishti, his relatives spent thousands of rupees in setting up makeshift stalls at roadsides. “We prepare our own Daleem this month and we also prepare Niyaz,” explained Chishti, adding “we do not call any caterers; instead we collect money and then cook daleem which we then serve with kulchas (a variety of flatbread).” Published in Daily Times, September 21st 2018.