PESHAWAR: Processions of the 9th Muharram peacefully concluded in the provincial capital and other parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Thursday amid tight security after passing through their traditional routes.

In Peshawar, the main procession of the day started from Imambargah Hussainia Hall, Saddar Road, which culminated at the same place after passing through its designated route. The procession passed through Saddar Road, Green Chowk and Kali Bari to arrive at the Fawara Chowk where the mourners offered Zuhrain prayers and later concluded peacefully.

The entire area leading to the Saddar Road was closed while a large number of police personnel were deployed to ensure security of the mourners. The authorities have also suspended mobile service in Peshawar since early Thursday.

KP police chief reviews security arrangements in Peshawar

KP police chief Salahuddin Mehsud visited the Hussainia Hall to review security arrangements for Muharram processions.

A statement issued here said that Mr Mehsud visited the Imambargah and reviewed the security steps taken for peaceful observance of Muharram. City police chief Qazi Jamilur Rehman and SSP Operations Javed Iqbal briefed the police chief about the security arrangements and live monitoring of mourning processions through CCTV cameras installed in various parts of the city.

It said that the police chief expressed satisfaction over the steps and issued necessary instructions to the police high-ups present on this occasion. He also met Shia elders and exchanged views with them about the security arrangements for the Imambargah. They Shia elders expressed satisfaction over the security measures and assured their cooperation for peaceful observance of Muharram.

Mr Mehsud also visited the army control room established there where he was briefed with the help of maps and charts about the security steps.

Talking to reporters on this occasion, Mr Mehsud said that best coordination existed among Khyber Pakhtunkhwa police, army, paramilitary, civil administration and intelligence agencies and joint search and strike operations were being carried out on intelligence-based information, which had been yielding better results.

He said that foolproof security arrangements had also been finalised in all other districts. He said that Muharram security steps were being adopted with the consultation and support of all sects and general public.

Another procession was taken out from Imambargah Imamia Colony in the afternoon. Two other processions were scheduled to be taken out from Imambargahs of Najaf Shah and Syed Alm Shah Jaferi in Kuchi Bazaar later in the night.

In Haripur, the 9th Muharram was observed amid tight security on Thursday. The district was among cities declared as most sensitive and mobile and internet service remained partially suspended. However, foolproof security arrangements facilitated peaceful conclusion of processions at the designated point.

The Alam and Zuljinah procession was taken out from Imambargah Imamia Sajjadia Mohallah Motian, which ended at Imambargah Qadeemia Mohallah Chowki police. The mourners from different parts of district participated. Walkthrough gates were installed for screening of the participants while surveillance of the procession was carried out through CCTV cameras.

In Lakki Marwat, district police officer Asif Gohar held separate meetings with the elders and clerics of Shia and Sunni communities at his office on Thursday to discuss matters pertaining to maintenance of law and order and peaceful observance of Ashura on Friday (today).

The DPO urged the elders of Shia community to ensure that mourning processions concluded within specified time. “The area police will make all-out efforts to provide complete security to the mourners,” he maintained. Processions were also held in other districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Published in Dawn, September 21st, 2018