Youm-e-Ashura observed peacefully nationwide under tight security

ISLAMABAD/PESHAWAR/KARACHI/LAHORE: Youm-e-Ashura was observed on Friday across country with solemn religious devotion as mourning processions and majalis were held across the country under unprecedented security arrangements.

Tens of thousands of police and security personnel were deployed nationwide, while mobile phone services were suspended in sensitive areas and extensive traffic management plans remained in place to ensure peaceful observance of the occasion.

Authorities across the country implemented stringent security measures, including snap checking, aerial surveillance through drones, Safe City monitoring, anti-drone systems, and deployment of snipers at key locations. Emergency services remained on high alert, while hospitals were placed on emergency footing in major cities.

The Punjab government partially suspended mobile phone services in sensitive areas of 24 districts, including Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, Multan, Gujrat, Dera Ghazi Khan and Rahim Yar Khan, where major processions and religious gatherings were held. Services remained operational in Lahore and other districts outside designated sensitive locations.

The suspension was ordered by the Ministry of Interior following recommendations from the Punjab Home Department to maintain law and order during Ashura observances.

More than 2,700 mourning processions and over 2,500 majalis were organised across Punjab, with over 10,000 traffic police personnel deployed to regulate traffic and facilitate mourners. Rescue 1122 placed more than 12,000 rescuers on duty, supported by 896 ambulances, over 2,300 rescue motorbikes and hundreds of emergency response vehicles.

The Punjab Cabinet Committee on Law and Order monitored security arrangements through the Home Department's Central Control Room, receiving live updates from across the province. Officials said more than 37,000 religious gatherings and over 9,000 processions had been monitored during the first ten days of Muharram through geo-tagging and surveillance cameras.

Provincial Minister Khawaja Salman Rafique said Ashura was being observed peacefully throughout Punjab, while Home Secretary Dr Ahmad Javed Qazi revealed that authorities had blocked more than 3,000 sectarian social media accounts during Muharram as part of the government's zero-tolerance policy against hate speech.

Rawalpindi witnessed one of the country's largest Ashura processions, with more than 8,000 police officers deployed, including over 5,500 personnel assigned exclusively to the central procession.

Authorities sealed all routes leading to the procession, while surveillance was carried out through more than 2,000 Safe City and CCTV cameras, drones and rooftop snipers. Participants were subjected to thorough body searches, with walk-through gates and metal detectors installed at entry points.

Police also introduced a special mobile application capable of instantly verifying participants' Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs) at security checkpoints.

The district administration imposed a ban on pillion riding and suspended mobile phone and internet services. Standing on rooftops along procession routes and carrying potentially dangerous items into the procession were also prohibited.

Governor Sardar Saleem Haider, who visited the central procession, praised the security arrangements and paid tribute to law enforcement agencies, religious scholars and volunteers for ensuring peaceful observance of Ashura.

In Murree, authorities closed Mall Road to all traffic for the central procession and imposed special entry restrictions. Tourists were required to present confirmed hotel bookings, while local residents could enter only after producing their CNICs.

District Police Officer Dr Muhammad Raza Tanveer urged visitors to use the "Safe Tourism Murree" application for real-time traffic and security updates.

More than 4,000 Islamabad Police personnel were deployed at Imambargahs, procession routes and mosques, with Inspector General Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi personally supervising the security arrangements.

Police announced traffic diversions and appealed to citizens to use alternative routes while requesting mourners to park vehicles only in designated parking areas.

In his Ashura message, Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani described the tragedy of Karbala as an eternal symbol of truth, justice, sacrifice and resistance against oppression, urging the nation to promote unity, tolerance and national harmony.

In Peshawar, more than 10,000 security personnel ensured the security of Ashura processions across the provincial capital.

Capital City Police Officer Dr Mian Saeed said the inner city had been completely sealed, with partial suspension of mobile services, drone surveillance, anti-drone technology, 171 CCTV cameras and multiple command posts overseeing security operations. The Pakistan Army and other security agencies worked alongside police to maintain law and order.

Rescue 1122 also deployed emergency medical teams, while volunteers established water and refreshment stalls along procession routes.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, in his Ashura message, described Karbala as humanity's eternal triumph of truth over falsehood, urging the nation to draw inspiration from the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) to strengthen national unity and uphold Islamic values.

Provincial Information Minister Shafi Jan also paid tribute to Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions, describing their sacrifice as an everlasting symbol of courage, steadfastness and resistance against oppression.

Authorities across Pakistan expressed satisfaction over the peaceful conduct of Youm-e-Ashura, crediting the coordinated efforts of law enforcement agencies, emergency services, religious scholars and volunteers for maintaining security and ensuring the smooth observance of one of the most significant days in the Islamic calendar.