Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Youm-e-Ashur will be observed today (Wednesday) in twin cities and all around the country to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions for the great sacrifice.

Observance of this day symbolises unique sacrifice of the grand son of the Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) and his companions who embraced martyrdom in the blazing desert of Karbala.

Tazia, Alam and Zuljinah processions will be taken out in the city, which after passing through their traditional routes, would culminate at main imambargahs, where religious scholars will highlight the significance of the supreme sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions. Thousands of mourners and devotees will participate in the processions to express their affiliation with Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS).

For the purpose, Islamabad police along with Rangers have made foolproof security arrangements to avoid any untoward incident in the city. The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has prepared a traffic diversion plan to facilitate the motorist on the occasion.

The main procession of Muharram 10 will be taken out from Sector G-6/4 at 4am, which will terminate at 7.30pm at Asna Ashri Imambargah Sector G-6/2 Islamabad.

Roads, streets and intersections including Press Club, Street 57, Lal Masjid Chowk, Street 73, Begum Sarfraz Road, Street 14, Polyclinic Fazl-e-Haq Road, Shuhada Chowk and Kalsoom Plaza Fazl-e-Haq Chowk will be closed for general traffic. Motorists could use Municipal Road, Embassy Road and Jinnah Avenue as alternatives to go from Sector F-6 to Aabpara.

The second procession will be taken out from Sector F-11/3 at 2pm, which will culminate at 7pm at Darbar Sakhi Shah Muzamal Bheka Syedan. The signal of F-11/2-3 would be closed and residents of sector F-11 could use Service Road Meharabadi, Kazmin Chowk F-11 Signal and Kashmir Highway to move towards motorway, Rawalpindi, Aabpara Market and Zero Point. F-11 Double Road would be closed and motorists could use Margalla Road to reach from Haideri Chowk F-11 to Sector F-7 and F-8. Naval Colony Halal Road will also remain close for traffic.

The third procession of Muharram 10 would be taken out from Imambargah Mossa Kazim Sector I-10/1 at 12noon, which would culminate at 4pm.

During the procession, Street 18, Markaz Side in Sector I-10 would remain close for traffic and motorists could use IJP Road to travel from Sector I-10 Sabzi Mandi to Faizabad, Murree Road, Bara Kahu, Khanna Pul and airport.

CDA Chowk Sector I-10, Habib Tarpal Chowk and Corner Service Road I-10/4 would also be closed and motorists would use IJP Road or Pirwadhai Road to reach Sector I-9, I-8 and Faizabad.

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi district administration and police have made red alert security arrangements to avoid any untoward incident.

For this purpose, 10 companies comprising Pakistan Army and Rangers personnel would be deployed in the city, whereas some 6,000 policemen including Shaheen Force personnel from Elite Force, Civil Defence and voluntary force would also perform their duties.

Three allied hospitals of the city would remain on high alert while doctors and paramedical staff had been directed to ensure their presence at the hospitals. The district administration has also banned pillion riding in the city.

Mobile phone service and the metro bus service would remain on Ashura.

Police as well as the district administration and other law enforcement agencies have also set up control rooms in the sensitive areas of Rawalpindi monitor law and order situation and the movement of procession through close circuit television cameras.

Earlier on Tuesday, Rawalpindi Regional Police Officer (RPO) Fakhar Wasal visited route of processions. Talking to media at the Committee Chowk, he said foolproof security arrangements had been made in Rawalpindi by utilising available sources.

He; however, warned that some external elements might deteriorate law and order situation so the organisers of the processions would have to make sure strict observance of fixed timings.