ISLAMABAD/LAHORE/KARACHIPESHAWAR/QUETTA: The mourning processions to commemorate tragic events of Karbala on 9th Muharram were taken out in various cities across the country amid tight security.
In Islamabad, the 9th Moharram procession was taken out from Markazi Imbargah G-6 Islamabad. It was attended by a large number of people. Security was tight as the Fazle-e-Haq road passing near the Imbargah was closed by police to avoid any incident.Snippers were also posted at high rise buildings along the route of the procession.
More than 3500 security staff including police personnel and rangers have been deployed in Islamabad and the procession was monitored with CCTV cameras.
In Rawalpindi, the mourning procession emerged from Imambargah Chittiyan Hattiyan and will culminate late night.
In Faisalabad, Police and army personnel carried out a Flag March passing through different areas particularly in the sensitive areas.
The man, identified as Mehdi Moosvi, was arrested by police from Shadman Town area of Karachi.
Officials claim the suspected hit-man, allegedly involved in sectarian killings and terrorism, has made shocking disclosures during the investigation.
“He disclosed that he has worked as translator of a neighboring country’s consul general, and has also accompanied his country’s diplomat during meetings with former Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah and other high officials,” a police official said.
He also used to roam in police mobile with weapons. In pictures available with Samaa, he can be seen wearing police uniform and holding a gun beside a police vehicle SPL 246.
The police mobile was allotted to a senior official of Federal Investigation Agency (FIA).
In Karachi, the procession was taken out from Nishtar Park. In view of security threats, MA Jinnah road from Numaish to Kharadar was closed for all type of traffic. The road will also be closed on Wednesday, 10th Muharram.
The main procession from Peshawar was taken out from Hasina Imambargah on Tuesday morning. In Lahore the main procession emerged from Pandu street Islampura. DIG Operation, KLahore Dr Haider Ashraf said every house on the procession routes had been searched to ensure fool proof security.
Over 2000 security personnel have been deployed in the city.
In Rohri, 9th Muharram procession was taken out from Imam Bargah Shah Iraq under tight security. The procession will culminate at Mandu Khabar after passing through its traditional route.
A large number of mourners from Sukkur and other districts participated in the procession. Tight security arrangements were made for the safety of the mourners.
The processions were monitored through CCTV cameras and at some places by helicopters while police and Rangers personnel were deployed in massive numbers all along the routes of the processions. Mobile phone services were suspended in 52 cities for 9th and 10th of Moharram. However the service was not suspended in Islamabad.
Administrations of all four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan, FATA and Islamabad had requested the federal government to suspend mobile phone services on Tuesday and Wednesday (9th and 10th Muharram) owing to the ongoing security situation, sources said. —INP
