KARACHI: Amid tight security that included a ban on pillion riding and partial suspension of cellular service, the main 9th Muharram procession concluded safely in the city on Wednesday.

The main majlis was held in the Nishtar Park, where Allama Shahinshah Hussain Naqvi addressed the mourners. Later, a procession was taken out from the park in the afternoon. The participants offered Namaz-i-Zohrain at Imambargah Ali Raza on main M.A. Jinnah Road.

Subsequently, after passing through various traditional routes, the procession culminated at Husainia Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar. Several key roads leading to the procession route remained closed for traffic, which was diverted to alternative routes.

After passing through Preedy Street, Empress Market and Regal Chowk, the procession re-emerged on M.A. Jinnah Road.

More than 9,000 policemen were deputed for security backed by Pakistan Rangers’ troops. The paramilitary force also arranged aerial surveillance of the procession routes, ensuring that the security was not compromised in any manner.

‘The tragedy of Karbala reminds us of the universal battle between good and evil’

Senior officials of Karachi police, Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, and traffic visited the route of the main procession from Nishtar Park to Kharadar. They also reviewed the deployment of traffic police personnel on the route of the procession. A police official said that the procession entered Kharadar a little after sunset where a majlis was held.

As on Tuesday, the citizens on Wednesday experienced partial suspension of cellular services in the city and other parts of Sindh.

According to officials, the cellphone services remained suspended between 7am and 12midnight on the 9th of Muharram in different cities of Sindh, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Khairpur, Larkana, Shikarpur and Jacobabad.

PPP chairman

Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said on Wednesday that the tragedy of Karbala reminded us of the universal battle between good and evil, and the importance of always standing by what is right, irrespective of the consequences because the long arc of history always bends towards good.

In a statement issued here from the media cell, Bilawal House, on the eve of Ashura, Mr Bhutto-Zardari said: “Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) is a lesson of courage for the people of the world, and Hussainism is another name for resistance for a noble cause.”

He stated that the lesson of Ashura is to challenge the Yazidis of our time and to stand up to and fight them as Imam Hussain did.

“The lessons of courage and sacrifice of the Ahl al-Bayt on the land of Karbala is one that humanity can never forget. It is a sacrifice that will be remembered till the end of time.This grief does not weaken the followers of Hazrat Imam Hussain. Instead, it serves as a source of courage and strength,” he said, and added that Imam Hussain had taught us that no matter how great the sacrifice, we must not waver from our commitment to fighting for justice and freedom. The innocent blood spilt at Karbala, from babies, to grown-ups, bears testament to the brutality of tyranny and the importance to overthrow it.

Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari further said that the PPP had always followed the philosophy of Hussainiyyat, standing up for the oppressed. Its leadership has sacrificed its lives to protect the lives and rights of the people and stood up to every oppressor.

Sindh governor

Sindh Governor Imran Ismail in a statement on the eve of Ashura said that the 10th of Muharram is not of any party, sect or one hundred thinkers, but it is the day to give a lesson to the whole of Islamic world to differentiate between the truth and falsehood.

“Syedna Hussain’s sacrifice established a tradition in Islamic history of sacrificing one’s life for the glory of Islam and for the attainment of the highest goals. The sacrifice of Syedna Hussain is a shining example for those who walk on the straight path in every period of history,” said the Sindh governor in a statement.

He said the martyrs of Karbala made a great history of sacrifice for the cause of truth and truthfulness with their words and deeds and they sacrificed their lives for the truth which is the greatest distinction of mankind today.

“Brothers, sisters, elders, mothers, daughters who are participating in the procession today should take care of the SOPs against the coronavirus. Keep social distance, wear masks, wear gloves, keep your hands clean with a sanitiser to protect yourself and your family from corona,” he said.

City administrator

City administrator Barrister Murtaza Wahab on Wednesday visited different areas of Karachi and reviewed development works and arrangements outside mosques and imambargahs.

He also visited the mobile vaccination hospital near Mubarak Masjid in the DHA.

The prayer leader of the mosque and residents thanked him for advising the people to wear masks.

The administrator said that with the vaccination of citizens, SOPs should also be fully implemented.

Published in Dawn, August 19th, 2021