LAHORE: Strict measures were taken to ensure security of Muharram’s nine processions in different areas of the city with due solemnity and sanctity to avoid any untoward incident.The cellular services remained suspended in several areas of the city as a security measure on Monday and the government also banned pillion riding and enforced Section 144.

The main procession of Muharram 9 was taken out from Nicholson Road. The image of Zuljinah was taken from Pandu Street, Islampura. The procession arrived at its first destination at Siraj Building Chowk via Alamgir Road where mourners performed Zuhr prayers.

Afterwards, the procession would pass through Islampura’s main market, Neli Bar Chowk and Civil Secretariat before reaching Old Anarkali in the evening where the mourners offered Maghrib prayers.

The procession culminated at Pando Street after going through designated routes.

In the backdrop of the Muharram processions, the traffic police have devised a diversion route plan from Islampura to Khaima Sadaat.

CTO Muntazir Mehdi said the closure of routes would be only for a few minutes as they would be opened to traffic as soon as the processions would pass.

However, no traffic will be allowed on these routes: Pandu Street from Sanda Road, Block Syedan, Sanda Khurd Chowk, Haider Road, Noori Building, Neeli Bar Chowk, Civil Secretariat, PMG Chowk, Istanbul Chowk, Church Chowk, Library Road, Tollinton Market Road, Old Anarkali, AG Office, Baba Mauj Darya, Jain Mandir Chowk, Edward Road, Farid Kot Road and Rabbani Road.

Meanwhile, on the instructions of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Faisal Shahkar, foolproof security was provided to the mourning processions and majalis of Muharram 9 across the province.

Mr Shahkar said security arrangements for mourning processions and majalis were being continuously monitored from the control room established at the Central Police Office and the situation was being observed moment by moment till the beginning and end of all the processions.

He said there was a complete ban on pillion riding in all districts of the province and full implementation of Section 144 was being ensured. He said mobile phone service had been partially stopped at sensitive places in selected districts. He said CCTV cameras had been installed on the routes of the processions.

Up to 1,661 processions and 3,943 majalis were held across the province on Muharram 9.

More than 650 cameras have been installed on the routes of the processions in the provincial capital, while the surveillance room is active day and night to monitor the security arrangements.

Published in Dawn, August 9th, 2022