KARACHI: Like all other parts of the country, the Chehlum of Imam Hussain and his 72 family members and followers was observed peacefully across Sindh amid tight security arrangements on Friday, according to officials.

In Karachi, a big congregation was held in Nishtar Park from where the main Chehlum procession was taken out at around 11am.

The participants offered Juma prayers outside Imambargah Ali Raza on main M.A. Jinnah Road and then proceeded towards their destination, Hussainia Iranian, Kharadar, via traditional route.

South-DIG Syed Asad Raza said that this time, the number of mourners was higher as compared to last year’s, partly because of restrictions on pilgrimage to Iraq. He estimated that 25,000-30,000 mourners took part in the main procession.

As many as 6,500 policemen provided security to the participants.

After passing through traditional routes, the procession culminated at Hussainia Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar late in the evening.

The DIG said that on a directive of the Karachi commissioner, Sabeels were set up along the route of the procession.

Chehlum processions were also taken out in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Shaheed Benazirabad, Mirpurkhas and Larkana divisions which passed through their traditional routes and culminated peacefully, according to Sindh Police spokesman Syed Saad Ali.

Protest

A group of mourners held a protest demonstration, while the procession was passing through a Saddar area, against the recent targeted killing of two Shia community members. One of the victims was son of a religious scholar.

The incident had taken place in Pahelwan Goth, Gulistan-i-Jauhar.

Law enforcers held negotiations with the protesters and persuaded them to disperse peacefully.

In Hyderabad, the main mourning procession was organised by the Anjuman-i-Imamia, Sindh. It was taken out from Qadamgah Maula Ali and culminated at Karbala Dadan Shah.

Mobile phone service was suspended for the day and the route of the main procession remained sealed with barbed wires.

Rangers personnel were also part of the security cordon. DIG Tariq Dharejo and SSP Adeel Hussain Chandio monitored the security arrangements.

In Lakana district, as many as 44 mourning procession were taken out to observe the Chehlum.

Clerics delivered sermons at 65 majalis amid stringent security arrangements. Around 2,000 police officers and personnel were deployed. They included 100 women police officers.

The central procession started from Syed Jarial Shah Bukhari Imambargah.

Sabeels were set up and food distributed along the routes of the processions while langars (free meals) were arranged at different places for mourners.

MPA Jamil Ahmed Soomro, who is political secretary to PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, along with Special Assistant to the CM Khair Mohammed Shaikh, Dari Town Chairman Shahrukh Anwar Siyal, and others, visited the central Imambargah.

In Mirpurkhas district, mourning processions were taken out from various Imambargahs amidst strict security arrangements. In the city area, many small processions joined the main one.

In Shaheed Benazirabad district, the main Chehlum procession was taken out in Nawabshah which set off from the Murtazavi Imambargah in Mohni Bazaar. The participants attended a Majlis on Masjid Road and later proceeded to Imambargah Madul Uloom, Essarpura, and returned to Murtazavi Imambargah.

Chehlum processions were also taken out in various cities and towns of Naushahro Feroze and Sanghar districts.

In Badin district, the main Chehlum procession was taken out from Central Imambargah Kashana-i- Zainabia after several small processions joined it.

The participants attended a Majlis at Mehran Chowk before they returned to the Imambargah Kashana-i- Zainabia.

Published in Dawn, August 16th, 2025