The Punjab administration has made “unprecedented” security arrangements throughout the province. ‘Sensitive spots’ are being manned by personnel from police, army, Punjab Constabulary, Elite Force and intelligence agencies.
The procession route was scanned by the police with the help of city administration, army, bomb disposal squad and sniffer dogs.
The main zuljinah route is: Mohallah Chehal Bibian, Imambargah Syed Wajid Ali Shah, Lakkar Mandi Bazaar, Imambargah Mehdi Shah, Mubarik Haveli, Chowk Nawab Sahib, Kucha Qazi Khana, Imambargah Maulavi Feroz Ali, Kucha Maskinian, Mohallah Pir Gilanian, Imambargah Rajab Ali Shah, Chohata Mufti Baqar, Chowk Purani Kotwali, Kashmiri Bazaar, Sunehri Masjid, Dabbi Bazaar, Suha Bazaar, Gumti Bazaar, Said Mitha Bazaar, Tehsil Bazaar, Bazaar Hakiman, Unchi Masjid and Bhatti Chowk.
A large number of mourners participated in the main procession. They were reciting Nohas in groups while there were sabeels of water and milk on different points on the route.
The mourners also arranged gathering of Quran Khwani and Majalis on different spots ranging from Havelis, houses to public places. The Nohas and Majalis were also being played on audio and video players along the route.
Police were deployed at rooftops of different houses alongside the procession route. The residents of the area had already been issued warnings for not opening doors and windows on the procession route.
The zuljinah route was divided into 15 to 20 sectors by the city administration and the police for carrying out their work effectively. A DSP was commanding each sector and officials from other agencies were helping him out, especially for co-ordination with other sectors.
Men from police and intelligence agencies were busy in making movies of the procession as a part of preventive measure for identification of outlaws and trouble makers in case of any untoward situation.
Meanwhile, the army had taken control of all the forces deployed along the route. The forces were issued instructions to report every move to the army.
Troops also arranged a flag march and took a round of the city. They visited Bibi Pak Daman, Imambargah Washing Line, Imambargah Gulshan-i-Zahra, Imambargah Abul Fazal Abbas, Imambargah Baitul Qudoos and many other processions and Majalis in the city.