RAWALPINDI: A strict security cordon was placed during Imam Husain’s Chehlum in the garrison city on Saturday.

Policemen and personnel of other law enforcement agencies had secured the entire route of the procession on Friday night itself, by placing barricades on the slip streets and roads.

Armoured vehicles, bomb disposal squad, fire brigade, Rescue 1122, ambulance squads and technical sweeping personnel remained on high alert throughout the day while anti-riot personnel, plainclothesmen and policewomen patrolled the city. However, no untoward incident was reported from any part of the city.

During Majalis, religious scholars spoke about the significance of the supreme sacrifices rendered by the martyrs of Karbala and resisting the evil forces of Yazid.

Ulema cited portions from the thought-provoking addresses of Hazrat Zainab, sister of Imam Husain, which she delivered in the court of Yazid and elsewhere after the Karbala tragedy.

They called upon the Ummah to follow the footsteps of Imam Husain and inculcate the spirit of sacrifice for the glory of Islam, while commemorating the tragic incident in Islamic history.

The main Chehlum procession was taken out from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain in Teli Mohallah, Imambargah Col Maqbool Hussain and Imambargah Hifazat Ali Shah in Bohar Bazaar. Thousands of mourners participated in the procession which was led by the Tehreek-i- Nifaz-i-Fiqh Jafaria (TNFJ) leaders.

Addressing mourners and media during the main procession, the provincial president of TNFJ Allama Syed Hussain Muqadassi said the government should facilitate pilgrims who intend to visit Karbala.

Gilgit-Baltistan

Imam Husain’s Chehlum processions ended peacefully across Gilgit-Baltistan on Saturday.

Processions were taken out from various areas in Gilgit, Skardu, Astore, Hunza, Nagar, Ghizer, Shigar, Kharmang and Ghanche.

Thousands of mourners participated in the processions, which culminated at their destinations after passing through traditional routes. Food stalls had been arranged along the routes of the processions.

Tight security arrangements were made to avoid any untoward incident. Personnel of police and other law enforcement agencies remained on alert.

Special walk-through gates were installed at the entry and exit points of the processions and Majalis in Gilgit.

The Hunza and Nagar sections of the Karakoram Highway and Gilgit-Skardu Road remained closed during the course of the mourning processions.

Published in Dawn, September 18th, 2022