Muharram processions in all major cities of Pakistan culminated peacefully at their designated destinations on Saturday evening.

Mourners across the country today paid homage to the martyrdom of Imam Husain and his companions in the tragedy of Karbala.

On the recommendations of the federal government, cellular services in all major cities were suspended from 8am but were restored starting 8pm.

City administrations had chalked out elaborate traffic plans for the Muharram processions in an effort to ensure smooth traffic flow in each of the major cities.

The Muharram procession in Islamabad began at 1pm from Asna Ashari, the central Imambargah, in Sector G-6/2.

The procession commenced after zuhrain prayers and, after passing through its designated route, returned to the Asna Ashari Imambargah at night.

Strict security measures had been taken for the procession, with at least 3,500 security personnel deputed at different points on the procession’s route.

Personnel from Islamabad Police’s bomb disposal squad had inspected the procession’s route for any possible threat earlier in the day.

Separate walk-through gates for men and women were installed at different entry points to ensure public safety.

In Karachi, mourners proceeded from Nishtar Park at 12pm to the Hussainian Iranian Imambargah along M.A. Jinnah Road.

More than 6,000 police personnel had been deployed on the procession's routes.

Bomb disposal squads had been monitoring the progress of the procession after sweeping the area.

In Lahore, the main procession started from Islampura under heavy security provided by police, elite force personnel and Rangers.

In Peshawar, people gathered at Hussainia Hall in Saddar, from where the central procession emerged.

Security officers had cleared the area after a thorough inspection earlier in the day.

In different gatherings following the culmination of the mourning processions, religious leaders shed light on the teachings of Imam Husain and his companions.