RAWALPINDI: Youm-i-Ashurwas observed peacefully in the garrison city on Wednesday with traditional religious spirit to commemorate the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S) and his 72 companions in Karbala.

Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider, Adviser to Punjab Chief Minister on Political Affairs Zeeshan Ashiq Malik along with Commissioner Rawalpindi Aamer Khattak, RPO Babar Sarfraz Alpa, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Hassan Waqar Cheema and CPO Syed Khalid Hamdani visited the Muharram 10 procession.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema gave a detailed briefing to the adviser on the arrangements made regarding Muharram processions in Rawalpindi.

Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider and Adviser to Punjab Chief Minister Zeeshan Ashiq Malik said that fool-proof security was being provided to Ashura processions and Majalis. He said that Muharram is a month of peace and brotherhood, during which no one will be allowed to spread chaos.

Governor, CM’s adviser visited Muharram 10 procession

They directed that all institutions should perform their duties diligently and with coordinated efforts for Muharram 11 just like they did for Muharram 9, 10.

Meanwhile, foolproof security arrangements were made by District administration and Rawalpindi police for Muharram 10. The Police was also assisted by personnel of law enforcement agencies to maintain law and order in the district.

Members of District Peace Committee also assisted the LEAs in the process. Massive search operations were also carried out across the district during which suspects were arrested and shifted to unknown locations for further probe. Thousands of people set up ‘Sabeels’ and ‘Niaz’ including water, milk and food among the mourners. This year, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz also directed to install stalls of sabeel and Niaz on the route of mourning procession,

In Rawalpindi, main Youm-i-Ashurprocession was taken out from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain Teli Mohallah, Imambargah Col Maqbool Hussain and Imambargah Hifazat Ali Shah situated at Bohar Bazar. The mourning procession passed through its traditional routes of Jamia Masjid Road , Sarafa Bazaar, Fawara Chowk, College Road , Liaquat Road , Babra Bazaar, Committee Chowk, Trunk Bazaar, Bara Market and Bunni Chowk. After, the mourners held ‘Sham-i-Gariban’ at Qadeemi Imambargah.

The mourners performed ‘Self-flagellationto mourn the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his 72 companions.Zuljinah, Alam Mubarik, Taazia, Mehndi Shahzada Qasim (AS), Gehwara Masoom Ali Asghar (AS), Taboot Imam Aali Muqaam (AS) and other Taburrakaat were included in the Ashura procession.

Later, after performing Zanjir-Zani at Fawwara Chowk, the participants of the main Ashuraprocession reached Raja Bazaar and Purana Qila where Zuljinah processions taken out from Imambargah Kashmirian Tyre Bazaar and Darbar Shah Chan Chiragh also merged into the main procession.

The main procession terminated at Imambargah Qadeemi after passing through Jamia Masjid Road and Imambara Chowk.

The Chief of Tehreek -i- Nifaz-i-Fiqh-i-Jafaria Pakistan, Allama Agha Syed Hussain Muqaddasi, addressed the media and mourners/at Committee Chowk. He said that complaints about undue interference by the administration in mourning programmes are still being received from various districts, due to the flawed and unconstitutional SOPs of the Punjab Home Department.

He said that authorities should remember that those who clash with Hussain’s mission get shattered. “We are peaceful people, but we will not shy away from taking necessary steps to protect our constitutional rights. If undue restrictions are not lifted, we will defend our fundamental constitutional rights at any cost,” he said.

Published in Dawn, July 19th, 2024