Rawalpindi-Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) will be observed today with religious zeal and reverence amid tight security made by Rawalpindi police.

The district government has also imposed a complete ban on pillion riding in the district on occasion of Chehlum to avert any untoward incident.

The event marks the culmination of a 40-day mourning period after the 10th of Muharram, the martyrdom date of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his 72 cohorts in 680 AD in Karbala.

According to details, shared by Tehrik-e-Nifaz-e-Fiqa-Jafria spokesman, the main mourning procession of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) would appear from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain Committee Chowk at 11am which would be led by TNFJ Quaid Agha Hamid Ali Mosavi.

The mourning procession after passing through Trunk Bazaar and Bank Chowk would reach Fawara Chowk where majlis would be held, he said.

He added the other mourning processions of Alam, Tazia and Zuljinah would also join the main procession. He said the mourning procession would be culminated at Imambargah Col Maqbool Hussain.

The spokesman said Ibrahim Scouts and Mukhtar Foundation volunteers would set up medical camps to provide medical treatments to mourners besides assisting the law enforcement agencies for providing security cover to the procession.

On the other hand, the police have made foolproof security measures to guard the Chehlum processions. City Police Officer (CPO) Israr Ahmed Khan Abbasi said a total of 6000 well-equipped police jawans and officers would perform security duty while Pakistan army and rangers would assist police in this regard. He added the commandoes of elite force, special branch police and lady police would also be deputed for additional security of the mourners.

“The mourning procession of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) will be provided security blanket by police,” he said.

Acting Chief Traffic Office (CTO)/SP Shahid Yousaf said traffic police have completed all arrangements to facilitate the mourners and to ease the traffic flow in the city.

For this, he said, 6 DSPs, 10 Inspectors/In-charges, 213 wardens and 21 junior wardens have been deployed along with the main procession’s route and in other parts of city to control traffic flow.

He said the district government has banned pillion riding in the district for one day and traffic police would take stern action against the violators.

Acting CTO requested the citizens to cooperate with city traffic police and other law enforcers to maintain peace and law and order in the city on eve of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS). 

ISLAMABAD: A large number of mourners attending the Chehlum procession to commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) .–Staff photo by Javed Nasir