ISLAMABAD: The main Muharram 8 procession in the federal capital was taken out from G-9 whereas two others were taken out from G-6 and G-7.

The main procession started from Jamia Al-Murtaza G-9/4 and ended at PWD Chowk, Kashmir Highway.

Despite the scorching heat and severe humidity, a large number of people including children participated in it; they recited nohas and expressed allegiance to Imam Husain for upholding the flag of Islam.

Philanthropists and social organisations had established sabeels offering water and sherbat to the azadars.

Chief of Tehreek i Nifaz Fiqh Jaferia (TNFJ) Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi, talking to journalists, said Imam Husain did not make Islam a shield for himself but he became a shield for Islam by sacrificing his family to protect the religion from distortions.

“Pakistan is an ideological state and the message of Imam Husain is to uphold the flag of Islam. The ban on new Azadari processions in Pakistan is similar to the ban on taking out processions in occupied Kashmir,” he added.

When asked about the single national curriculum (SNC), he said it was against the spirit of free educational standards.

He added that justice should be done with all schools of thought and a system that accommodates all schools of thought should be implemented.

Taxila

The Muharram 8 procession was taken out in Attock on Monday with due solemnity and sanctity.

Strict security measures had been taken on the routes of processions to avoid any untoward incident.

The traditional Alam-o-Zuljanah procession, surrounded by over 400 police personnel, rangers and Elite Force commandos was taken out from Imambargah Punjtani, under the auspices of Anjumane Janisarhan Hussain.

Azadars (participants) recited nohas in groups and later offered Zuhr prayers.

Later, the procession after passing through its traditional route ended peacefully at Imambargah Hussania Attock Cantonment. Under strict security, sabeel soffering water and milk were set up by procession organisers with the collaboration of Tehsil Municipal Administration at different points. A special mobile medical team and Rescue 1122 provided medical treatment to mourners on the spot.

All roads leading to the venue of the procession were heavily guarded and barbed wire was placed along different areas.

District Police Officer Rana Shoaib Mehmood said during these holy days, foolproof security of all imambargahs and processions will be ensured and no compromise would be made in this regard.

APP Adds: Officials of the district administration and police jointly reviewed security arrangements for the Muharram 9 procession, expressing satisfaction over them.

A control room has also been set up so that all stakeholders can coordinate. Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat and SPP (Operations) Dr Syed Mustafa Tanveer will visit procession routes to review arrangements.

City hospitals including Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims), Federal Government Services Hospital (Poly Clinic) and Capital Hospital have been put on alert. All entry and exit points on the routes of processions would be blocked.

Traffic plan

Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has made a special deployment plan to manage traffic on alternate routes while main processions are taken out in the federal capital.

A police source said more than 500 officials including one SP, four DSPs and 17 inspectors would perform duties to divert traffic on alternate routes. The SSP (Traffic) would himself supervise the entire plan while traffic police officials would be present at diversion points to guide road users.

A special ITP FM Radio 92.4 transmission would also keep people informed about the latest situation on the road. The main mourning procession would be taken out from Imam Bargah Asna-i-Ashri G-6/2 on Muharram 9, which will culminate at the same spot after passing through its traditional routes. During the procession, Fazal-i-Haq road and roads from Poly Clinic to Kalsoom plaza will remain closed; 7th Avenue from F-6 Chowk to Suharwardi road, Fazal-i-Haq Road from China Chowk to Kalsum Plaza would also remain closed.

The road from Iqbal Hall to Melody Chowk, Municipal Road from Markazi Jamia Masjid to Poly Clinic Chowk, Luqman Hakeem Road from Poly Clinic to Lal Quarter while G-6 Service Road from G-6/2 Chowk to Lal Quarter Chowk will remain closed for general traffic from 8am until the end of the procession (8pm).

Citizens may either take 7th Avenue for the Kulsoom Plaza to Chand Tara Chowk route and Jinnah Avenue for the Kulsoom Plaza to China Chowk route. Roads including 7th Avenue, Aabpara, Sehrwardy Road, Shaheed Milat Road can also be used as alternate routes.

Another procession will be taken out from Imambargah Musa Kazim in I-10/1. It will end after passing through various routes including I-10 Markaz, CDA Chowk #1, Katarian Bridge and I.J.P Road (Pirwdhai and Faizabad area).

Residents of sectors I-8 and I-9 have been advised to use external IJP, Pirwadhai Road. — APP

Published in Dawn, August 18th, 2021