RAWALPINDI: Youm-i-Ashur was observed peacefully with traditional religious spirit to commemorate the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain and his companions in Karbala.

As part of foolproof security, five companies of Pakistan Army and seven of Rangers were deployed to assist the local administration and police in maintaining peace. Members of the District Peace Committee also assisted the law enforcement agencies.

The main procession in the city was taken out from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain in Teli Mohallah, Imambargah Col Maqbool Hussain and Imambargah Hifazat Ali Shah at Bohar Bazaar.

The procession passed through its traditional routes of College Road, Committee Chowk, Trunk Bazaar and Bara Market before reaching at Fawara Chowk. The mourners performed ‘Zanjir Zani’ to commemorate the sacrifices of Imam Hussain and his 72 companions.

After performing Zanjir-Zani at Fawara Chowk, the mourners reached Raja Bazaar and Purana Qila where Zuljinah processions from Imambargah Kashmirian Tyre Bazaar and Darbar Shah Chan Chiragh also merged into the main procession.

Addressing media and mourners at Committee Chowk, Tehreek Nifaz Fiqh-i-Jafaria Pakistan (TNFJ) chief Allama Agha Syed Hussain Muqaddasi said the everlasting sacrifice of Imam Hussain had drawn an eternal line between truth and falsehood.

He said TNFJ would never allow Azadari to be restricted, declaring: “We can sacrifice everything, but will never allow any harm to come to the mourning of Imam Hussain.” He stated that Karbala teaches resistance against imperialism and that the spirit of Hussainiyat continues to inspire the oppressed people of Kashmir and Palestine.

He rejected restrictions and SOPs limiting new mourning gatherings as well as those held inside the four walls of homes and imambargahs, saying they were unacceptable. He remarked that the changing weather conditions could never affect Azadari, and praised the government’s security and administrative arrangements for Ashura.

Allama Muqaddasi said Pakistan was established through the collective sacrifices of all schools of thought and that the Constitution guarantees equal rights to every citizen. Any discriminatory treatment, he added, amounts to a violation of the Constitution.

He also demanded an inquiry into incidents in which organisers of Majalis and mourners were harassed and called for action against those responsible for bringing disrepute to the administration.

Reiterating the stance of TNFJ former chief Agha Syed Hamid Ali Shah Moosavi, Agha Muqaddasi said Pakistan is destined to lead the Islamic world and our role in restoring peace after the recent US aggression against Iran is a reflection of that. He stressed upon the government to also focus on internal issues and address concerns.

TNFJ Secretary General Allama Raja Basharat Hussain Imami participated in the procession, while Allama Syed Qamar Haider Zaidi highlighting the philosophy of martyrdom and recounting the tragedies of Karbala.

TNFJ Central Muharram Committee Azadari Cell Secretary Syed Bu Ali Mehdi presented a resolution on national and international issues. Earlier, Punjab Governor Sardar Saleem Haider Khan visited the main procession at Raja Bazaar. The governor reviewed the security and administrative measures taken for the main Ashura procession.

Senior officials of the administration, police and other relevant institutions briefed him about the route of the procession, security plan, traffic management and facilities provided to the mourners.

The governor appreciated the effective security arrangements made by the administration, police, law enforcement agencies and other relevant departments and said that the Ashura processions.

Punjab Minister for Communication and Works Malik Sohaib Ahmed Bherth, Commissioner Abdul Aamer Khattak, Regional Police Officer Babar Sarfraz Alpa, Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema and CPO Khalid Hamdani inspected the route of the procession.

Taxila

In Taxila, the central Ashura procession followed its traditional route before culminating at the Imambargah Qasar-i-Abbas. Thousands of mourners joined the procession, expressing their devotion through Noha Khawani (elegiac recitations), Matam (ritual mourning) and by paying respects through Tazias and Zuljanah processions. After conclusion of the procession, the participants observed Shaam-i-Gariban where Zakireen highlighted the significance of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain.

Senior civil, police and political leadership visited the Ashura procession in Taxila, reviewing security, surveillance, traffic management and public facilitation arrangements.

Authorities ensured the sprinkling of rose water along the procession route, the establishment of water stalls and the provision of other facilities for participants.

Punjab Assembly Standing Committee on Finance Chairman Mohsin Ayub Khan joined the central Ashura procession, visited various points along the route and interacted with mourners.

Attock

Ashura was observed peacefully across Attock district, including tehsils Hazro, Jand, Pindigheb, Fatehjang and Hassanabdal amid unprecedented security arrangements, with more than 1,800 police officers and personnel deployed to guard 49 mourning processions and 70 majalis. According to district authorities, a total of 119 mourning processions and religious gatherings were secured through a comprehensive security plan jointly implemented by the police, district administration and other law enforcement agencies.

Walk-through gates, metal detectors and other security equipment were installed at procession routes and majalis venues, while trained volunteers assisted security personnel in maintaining order.

The district’s largest Ashura procession commenced from Imambargah Hussainia in Malpur Syedan, Attock Cantonment, and proceeded towards Karbala Haleem Shah amid stringent security measures.

Deputy Commissioner Rao Atif Raza and District Police Officer Sardar Marvan Khan remained present alongside senior officers of the district administration, law enforcement agencies and the Pakistan Army to personally monitor the security arrangements.

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2026