Processions for Youm-i-Ali passed in the metropolis of Karachi on Saturday amid tight security, extensive traffic plans and suspension of mobile phone services in several parts of the city as a security precaution, according to officials and organisers.

The main Youm-i-Ali procession started from Nishtar Park and culminated at Imambargah Hussainian Iranian in Kharadar after passing through traditional routes.

“The Youm-i-Ali procession culminated peacefully,” said South-DIG Sharjeel Kharal. The South Zone police chief said that a total of 6,000-8,000 policemen and 2,000 Rangers personnel provided security to the mourners.

The senior officer said that cell phone services were also disrupted on routes of the main procession.

The Karachi police had earlier chalked out an extensive traffic and security plan for the major Youm-i-Ali processions. The plans were developed in order to provide safety to citizens and ensure minimum inconvenience while the processions were underway.

To ensure security along the routes, the police had also closed the road from Numaish to MA Jinnah Road with containers. Subsequently, all the traffic coming towards Numaish was diverted to alternate routes.

"As soon as the procession will start from Nishtar Park, all traffic coming from city side will be diverted towards Soldier Bazar (Bahadur Yar Jang Road), Coast Guard, Anklesaria to Jubilee and Garden Zoo to reach their destination," the traffic plan had stated.

The traffic from Nazimabad and Liaquatabad was diverted to Lasbela, Jamshed Road, and Kashmir Road, while people heading towards the MA Jinnah Road from the Stadium Road were rerouted towards Kashmir Road, Society Light Signal, Shara-e-Quaideen and then Sharea Faisal.

The plan had added that vehicles would not be permitted to proceed towards or park on the route of the procession. The vehicles distributing niaz, on the other hand, would enter the procession from 4pm to 6pm from Tower to Boulton Market.

Earlier, Dawn reported that Karachi Commissio­ner Muhammad Iqbal Memon had directed the East deputy commissioner to immediately remove an illegal rickshaw stand near the Numaish traffic intersection and make special arrangements for lighting, sanitation and cleanliness on the routes of the main procession.

He had further directed authorities to ensure emergency arrangements at all major hospitals of the city on Youm-i-Ali.

A control room will also be set up at Mama Parsi School under DC South to monitor the main procession.