KARACHI: Law enforcement agencies have finalised their arrangements for providing security to more than 4,000 big and small processions, to be taken out on Ashura, across Sindh, it emerged on Monday.

Thousands of policemen, backed by paramilitary Rangers and FC, have been deployed on key points and along the route of the processions.

The home department had already imposed a ban on pillion riding across the province on 9th and 10th of Muharram (Tuesday and Wednesday). There is also a complete ban on carrying licensed weapons.

Officials said that cellular services would likely to be partially suspended on Tuesday and Wednesday in areas along the route of the Ashura processions in view of security concerns.

Speaking at a press conference at the Central Police Office, Inspector General of Sindh Police said there were a total 2,217 imambargahs in the province including 389 in Karachi.

He said that a total of 16,990 majalis took place in Sindh, including 6,669 in Karachi alone. He said a total of 4,135 Ashura processions would be taken out across the province.

He said that as many as 59,000 policemen would provide security to all the processions.

The Sindh police chief said that the police had developed a close coordination with the army, Rangers and FC for maintenance of peace during Muharram.

He was of the view that because of such coordination, the Counter-Terrorism Department had managed to arrest some key suspects, including a militant who wanted to target a Muharram procession in the metropolis.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2024