At least 144 processions of Alam & Zul-Jinnah were taken out in Multan city which is called a Lucknow of Pakistan.No untoward incident was reported. Similarly, Ashura processions were also taken out in every town and city of South Punjab including Muzaffargarh, Khangarh, Alipur, Seetpur, Rangpur,Kotadu, Rohillanwali, Dera Ghazi Khan, Jampur, Dajal, Sakhi Sarwar, Taunsa Sharif, Rajanpur, Rojhan, Kot Mithan, Layyah, Jamman Shah, Kot Sultan, Karor Lal eisan, Chowk Azam, Chown Sarwar Shaheed(Chowk Munda)Chaubara, Ahmedpur Siyal, Khanewal, Vehari, Mian Chunnu, Chichawatni, Kabirwala, Lodhran, Kehror pucca, Dunyapur, Mailsi, Burewala, Bahawalpur, Sadiqabad, Rahimyar Khan, Bahawalnagar, Fort Abbas, Christian, Kherpur Tamewali, Ahmedpur East etc
Processions are being carried out in various cities as thousands of security personnel protect the mourners while cell phone services in areas across the country also remain suspended.
Prime Minister Imran Khan tweeted that there were three important messages to take away from Imam Hussain and the martyrs of Karbala.
"One, immortality is earned by those who give the supreme sacrifice of their lives to stand against tyranny & injustice. It is not earned simply by being rich, powerful or educated.
"Two, throughout history many great Muslims have been inspired by Karbala & sacrificed their lives to stand against oppression, colonial rule, injustice.
"Three, today the struggle continues against oppression of occupation & injustice in occupied Kashmir."
The premier added that the Kashmiris, who were fighting against the worst form of military oppression and tyranny, should be "inspired" by Karbala to remain steadfast in their courage.
"Their struggle against tyranny & injustice will succeed as the martyrs of Karbala showed us."
Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi took to Twitter to share the lessons that could be learnt from Iman Hussain's legacy.
"Let us draw strength from the legacy of Imam Hussain Ibn e Ali (R.A), the embodiment of bravery and determination in the face of oppression and tyranny. May we learn to meet every challenge ahead with the same fortitude and courage."
PML-N President and Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Shehbaz Sharif said "mankind will remain indebted to Hazrat Imam Hussain (A.S.) for his supreme sacrifice in the path of truth and justice."
"His example of patience and trust in Allah in the face of extreme brutality & oppression has been a source of inspiration to the oppressed people around the world!" he added.
Karachi
The main procession in the city was taken out from Nishtar Park after a Majlis, which was led by Allama Shahenshah Hussain Naqvi, with five to six thousand mourners, according to police officials.
The procession will reach Tibet Centre around 1pm where afternoon prayers will be offered, led by Maulana Ali Afzaal. After the prayers, the procession will move through Numaish Chowrangi, Sea Breeze, Empress Market, Regal Chowk and Bolton Market, ending at Imambargah Hussainian Iranian.
Map of the route the procession will take. — Photo Courtesy: Karachi Police
A spokesperson for Karachi Police said 6,368 policemen and three companies of the Rapid Response Unit have been deployed for the security of the processions. A further 90 snipers are also present along the route of the main procession.
A total of 12,455 policemen have been deputed for the security of 513 Majalis and 281 processions in the city, the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson said 1,095 officials of the Traffic Police have been deployed to ensure smooth flow of traffic along the route. Police have appealed to the citizens to keep an eye on their surroundings and contact the police helpline in case of any suspicious activity.
Additionally, Karachi police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon said police is coordinating with Shia Scout organisations for security arrangements.
PESHAWAR
A total of 12 processions will be taken out in Peshawar, according to police officials. Strict security arrangements have been made while cell phone services have been completely suspended in the city.
At least 10,600 policemen and 1,400 Frontier Corps officials have been deployed for security while the situation is also being monitored from the police command and control room. The areas through which the processions will pass have been sealed and no unrelated person is allowed to enter, police said, adding that the roads along the route have also been washed in view of the pandemic.
QUETTA
The main procession in Balochistan's capital has emerged from Shuhada Chowk on Alamdar Road. It is being led by Balochistan Shia Conference President Syed Dawood Agha. The procession will pass through its traditional routes and reach Meezan Chowk, where afternoon prayers will be offered.
At least 10,000 security officials have been deployed for protection of the mourners. Mobile phone services in the city will remain suspended until 12am, according to police.
Additional Inspector General of Police (IG) Abdul Razzaq Cheema said searching and sweeping of processions' routes had been completed while security officials and snipers would remain posted.
He further said three battalions of the Pakistan Army were on standby in case of any untoward incident and that two helicopters were being used to keep an eye on the situation from the air. Control rooms have also been established to monitor the situation, he said.
KASHMIR
At least 40 people were injured when Indian forces resorted to brutality and opened fire on a Muharram procession paying tribute to Imam Hussain (RA) on Saturday.
Indian authorities had reimposed the ban on Thursday after clashes with mourners who wanted to stage traditional processions for during the holy month.
Jafar Ali, a witness, told AFP that the procession started in the Bemina area on the outskirts of the main city of Srinagar and that government forces were present in heavy numbers.
Ali and other people who witnessed the clashes said security forces fired pellets and tear gas shells to break up the gathering.
"The forces fired pellets at the procession that was mainly peaceful and included women," said another witness Iqbal Ahmad.At least 40 people were injured, according to witnesses.
About 25 people were taken to a nearby clinic with pellet wounds, some with their faces and bodies covered in pellet marks, a doctor there told AFP on condition of anonymity.
"We moved about a dozen people to other facilities for more advanced treatment," the doctor said.
A police official confirmed the incident, saying: "Some people had gathered and were trying to start a procession, they were dispersed." He did not give details of casualties.
Muharram processions to mourn Imam Hussain, the grandson of Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) who was martyred in a battle about 1400 years ago at Karbala, are held around the world but have been regularly banned in occupied Kashmir since an uprising erupted in 1989.
The Muslim-majority Himalayan region is largely divided between India and Pakistan, who both claim it in its entirety and have fought two wars over it.
Last year India took away the semi-autonomous status granted to its side of the territory. Tensions have risen since.
Muslims in the procession chanted pro-separatist and an anti-Indian slogans, other witnesses said.
Several arrests have been made this week of people shouting against Indian rule when processions have been attempted, a police official said. Some have been charged under anti-terrorism laws.
Dozens of mourners were detained in Srinagar on Friday after they tried to start Muharram processions.
