KARACHI - The central procession of the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) culminated peacefully under tight security here on Monday.

During the day as many as 100 big and small mourning processions were taken out in the city, whereas 460 majalis were held.

The main procession was taken out after the majlis that was held at Nishter Park was over.

Shiite scholars shed light on the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions who laid down their lives in Karbala.

After the central majlis, the procession moved out of Nishter Park. The mourners offered prayers on MA Jinnah Road for which arrangements had been made by the Imamia Students Organisation (ISO).

After the prayers, a protest demonstration was also held on MA Jinnah Road against banned outfits and militant organisations.

Various political parties and religious organisations, including ISO, Jafaria Alliance, MQM-P and PPP, had also set up medical camps and sabeels to facilitate the mourners.

Besides the personnel of law-enforcement agencies, more than 4,000 volunteers from various organisations also performed security duties.

Later, the procession after passing through its traditional route of Nishter Park, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto Road, Mehfil-e-Shah-e-Khurasan, MA Jinnah Road, Mansfield Street, Preedy Street, again MA Jinnah Road, Bolton Market, Bombay Bazaar, Kharadar and Nawab Mohabbat Khanjee Road culminated at Hussainian Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar.

Over 5000 law-enforcers were deployed to ensure security of the participants, with snipers positioned on the rooftops of various buildings along the route of the procession.

Earlier, the personnel of law-enforcement agencies, after combing the area, blocked all the passages around the route by placing containers and sealing shops, while CCTV cameras were also installed for keeping an eye on suspicious activities.

Pillion riding was already banned in the metropolis to avoid any potential terrorist attack, while mobile services remained suspended from early afternoon as part of security arrangements.

As per details, around 17950 police officials and personnel were deployed for security duties in the entire city. The numbers also include 5727 cops who had been tasked with providing security to the mourners of central procession.

CM takes aerial view of Chehlum procession:

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah, along with Sindh Police IG AD Khawaja, took an aerial view of the Chehlum procession to monitor its security arrangements.

The CM observed deployment of police and Rangers as well as movement of the procession.

He directed the IG to ensure strict security till the end of the procession and returning of the mourners to their homes.Murad also visited the Command and Control Center to monitor the procession’s movement and deployment of the police force.

Vohra inspects arrangements for Chehlum procession:

Karachi Deputy Mayor Dr Arshad Vohra also visited the Nishter Park to inspect the arrangements made for the security of Chehlum procession.

He also went to the camps of various organisations and met with the zakirin and Shia scholars.

Speaking on the occasion, he said that KMC and DMC had made better arrangements for the main procession.  He also acknowledged the efforts of municipal services department, fire brigade, rescue 1122 and ambulance services for remaining alert during the day.

“Doctors and the paramedics were available in hospitals to deal with any untoward situation, and due to the joint efforts of all these organisations, the procession was largely peaceful and the mourners did not to face any trouble,” he added.

PA suspends agenda; offers dua for martyrs of Karbala:

The Provincial Assembly of Sindh suspended its regular agenda on Monday and offered Dua for Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and other martyrs of Karbala on the occasion of Chehlum.

The assembly met for 24 minutes. The deputy speaker also attended the sitting. The chief minister and leader of the opposition did not attend the proceedings, whereas the parliamentary leaders of PPPP, MQM, PML-F and PTI were present.

Moved by Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, the House adopted a motion to suspend the regular agenda to observe Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and other martyrs of Karbala.