Our Staff Reporters MULTAN/FAISALABAD/HAFIZABAD/BAHALNAGAR/GUJRANAWAL - Youm-e-Ashur, the 10th of Muharram, was observed with religious fervour and solemnity in entire Punjab province amid tight security on Tuesday to commemorate the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions at Karbala in 60 Hijra. Clad in black clothes, the mourners exercised self-flagellation with sharp knives mounted on chains, swords and other sharp tools. Besides youths, women, children and elderly citizens also flagellated themselves. The atmosphere remained peaceful as no untoward incident was reported from any major area of the province and the masses exhibited sectarian harmony throughout the day. The security was put on red-alert by the district administration in Multan as over 5,000 cops and 4000 national volunteers were deployed to maintain law and order situation in the district. The faithful brought out about 470 mourning (tazia and zuljinnah) processions while 1,608 majlis were held in different areas of Multan district on Youm-e-Ashur. The Ashura presented an ideal scene of religious harmony as most of the Tazia processions were taken out by Sunnis. The processions of famous Tazias brought out by the Sunnis included Ustad Wala, Shagird Wala, Ramzan Wala, Bakhu Khan, Bhedi Potraan, Kamtar Wala, Gilani Wala, Lodhi Wala, Saleem Uddin Wala, Khulasi Line, Rashid Wala and Ahmad Bakhash Wala, which terminated at Darbar Pak Mai. Similarly, about 36 tazia processions were taken out by Shiaats and they ended up at Karbala Shah Shamas. The mourning and Zuljanah processions were brought out from Astana Lal Shah Mashhadi, Nasirabad (JHIK) Imambargah Jawwadia, Haveli Mureed Shah, Suraj Miani (Imambargah Sher Shah), Hussainabad (Daulat Gate), Astana Koray Shah, Imambargah Azeem Shah (Thalla Sadat), Lal Kurti (Kashan-e-Shabbir), Kamangaranwala (Hussain Agahi), Kale Mandi, Imambargah Heera Hyderi, Imambargah Hussainia (Sutriwat) and some other imambargahs of Multan, which joined the main procession and ended up at Darbar Hazrat Shah Shams Sabazwari in the evening. The Rescue 1122, the Health Department and civil defence volunteers established special camps in various parts of the city, where quick first aid was provided to the mourners injured during flagellation. The Mepco, Wasa and other departments had also set up their camps to offer their concerned services. Later on, Majalis of Sham-e-Ghareeban were held in Imambargahs of Shah Gerdez, Imambargah Lal Shah, Mumtazabad, Haveli Mureed Shah, Imambargah Hyderia (Gulghast) and Hussainabad Daulat Gate in the night. In order to avert any untoward incident, Pakistan army, police and other law enforcement agencies executed a joint security plan. The Police personnel patrolled the city throughout Youm-e-Ashur along with Army and Rangers. Moharram processions were given aerial security cover as low-flying helicopters continued to hover over the city throughout the day. The law enforcement agencies sealed Multan City and Cantonment areas while top security officials visited all areas along with other officials. Sources disclosed that dozens of close circuit cameras were installed on procession routes to keep secret eye on anti-social elements. Similarly, police sealed all the roads leading to the main procession route by putting barricades late on Thursday night. Cops appointed at the entry points of Majalis and procession routes thoroughly frisked the participants. The entry of all vehicles had been banned in the sensitive areas and the parking stands were established at a considerable distance to avoid any untoward incident. Similarly, special pickets were established by police in different parts of the city. The entry and exit points of Multan, Bahawalpur, Jhang, Bhakkar, Dera Gazi Khan, Sahiwal, Lodhran and Khanewal were heavily guarded by the police to keep a check on the activities of miscreants. Motorway cops also remained on patrol throughout the day on highways. The networks of all cellular companies also remained suspended throughout the day. The mobile phones went out of signals early in the morning and remained suspended till late night. HAFIZABAD: Martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companion was commemorated here in Hafizabad and Pindi Bhattian, amid tight security, with religious reverence. As many as 26 Tazia and 36 Zuljinnah processions were taken out from different Imambargahs. Tight security arrangements were made which were supervised by City Police SHO Arif Shah and DPO Abdul Rab Chaudhry himself. All entry points including three interchanges at Pindi Bhattain, Kot Sarwar and Khanqah Dogran were totally sealed off. All entry points in the city were also sealed by blocking the roads and streets with big trolleys and barbed wire. Walk-through-gates were erected en-route the Tazia and Zuljinnah processions. RPO Gujranwala Range Ahmed Mubarik also visited Hafizabad to review security arrangements made on Youm-e-Ashur on Tuesday. Talking to the local newsmen, he said that except some minor problems happened here and there, no unpleasant incident was reported throughout the Gujranwala Division. SIALKOT: Ashura-e-Muharram was observed with reverence and devotion in Sialkot and Narowal districts on Tuesday. On the occasion stringent security arrangements were adopted for maintaining the law and order in both the districts. The police, Razakars and special police contingents escorted all processions for maintaining the law and order as well as to cope with any eventuality in Sialkot and Narowal districts. Two Zuljinnah processions were taken out from city while third was taken out from Cantonment area. In order to provide timely medical treatment to the mourners first-aid units were ushered routes of the processions. After passing through their traditional routes the processions were terminated at their respective Imambragahs in the evening. Quran Khawani was also held at various places for the martyrs of Karbala and food was distributed among the poor and needy people. While addressing the processions, Zakireen, Ulema and religious scholars highlighted the philosophy of the supreme sacrifice rendered by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the grandson of holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) for upholding the truth, uprightness and for the glory of Islam. They stressed upon the Muslim Ummah to forge unity among their ranks to avert threats to Islam. BAHAWALPUR: Like other parts of the country, Ashura was observed here with due reverence and sanctity. A number of Muharram processions were taken out from various parts of the city which marched through different city streets and later in the evening culminated at Karbala, Model Town (B). The Zakirs highlighted the importance of the day and the supreme sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions at Karbala, Iraq for the supremacy of Islam. A number of Zuljinnah and Tazias were also taken out on this occasion from different localities of the city by the mourners who were reciting Nohas and Marsias while walking alongside these during the Muharram processions. BAHAWALNAGAR: Ashura-e-Muharram was observed with religious fervour here in Bahawalnagar as about 40 Tazia and Zuljinnah processions were taken out across the district. In Bahawalnagar Town, 3 processions were taken out. Main Zuljinnah procession was appeared from main Imambargah at about 9:30am which was joined by second procession from Jinnah Colony Imambargah. Dozens of mourners participated in the procession, mourners beaten their chest and offered self-flagellation .Processions marched through the main roads, including Jail Road, Tehsil Bazaar Road, Nadir Shah Bazaar, Circular Road, Pirachan Street, Aziz Street and peacefully culminated at main Imambargah at about 7:00pm. Later, Majilis Sham-e-ghariban was held. Mourners recited Nohey to express their grief to the great sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Husain (RA) and his beloved companions for the sake of Islam. As many as, 2,200 security personnel were deployed to avert any untoward incident during processions and majalis across the district. While a third Tazia procession was also taken out from Nizampura by Sunnis, which marched through traditional routes and peacefully culminated. Processions were escorted by peace committee members, Ulema and media. DPO Salman Ali Khan monitored security measures at Bahawalnagar, Haroonabad and Chishtian. Officials of Rescue-1122 and paramedics staff also escorted the processions. MALAKWAL: Youm-e-Ashura was observed with solemnity amidst tight security in the region as more than 536 majlis and processions were held in the region. The law enforcement agencies had done positive arrangements to avoid any mishap. The people in general thanked Allah Almighty for bestowing peace and harmony on the eve. TOBA TEK SINGH: Scores of Ashura processions were taken out in the district while dozens of majalis were also held. The markazi Taazia procession was started from main Imambargah at 10:00am under the leadership of Advocate Syed Murad Ali Shah Bukhari and taazia licence-holder Rana Mazher Ali. It reached Jhang Road where at 1:00pm Zuhrain prayers was led by Maulana Zahoor Hussain. Majlis Azza was held in Saddar Bazaar Chowk at 3:00pm where Allama Baqir Ali Naqvi and Ghulam Abbas Shahbaz addressed the mourners.It concluded back at starting place at 7 pm where Sham-e-ghariban was held in the night. KHANEWAL: Youm-e-Ashura, the 10th day of Muharram was observed with due religious solemnity and in a befitting manner. The day was observed as a symbol of sacrifice and mourning recalling the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain Ibn Ali (RA), the grandson of Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH), in the battle of Karbala on the 10th of Muharram 1329 years ago. In Khanewal, 82 processions of Tazyia, Alam and Zuljinah were taken out from Khanewal, Kabirwala, Jahanian and Mian Channu tehsils. Out of these 82, seven processions of Tazyia, Alam and Zuljinnah were very sensitive and covered by high security by district police in three layers. DPO Muhammad Waqar Abbasi personally monitored these processions. FAISALABAD: Under strict security arrangements, some 119 Majalis were taken out in Faisalabad on Ashura-e-Muharram while 82 processions were taken out from different parts of the City. Six processions were of A category, 20 were of B category and 56 were of C category. The central procession was taken out from central Imambarghah Dhobhi Ghat. The procession reached historical Clock Tower Square where all other procession joined it. Meanwhile the mourners offered 'Zangeer Zani. Strict security arrangements were witnessed in this regard. All the entrance and exit points of the city were sealed and CCTV cameras were installed to monitor the security arrangements. It was also learnt that for security purpose 3,232 police constables among 18 high officers, 543 sub-inspectors and assistant sub-inspectors performed their duties while 32 special team of elite force continued their patrolling with the processions on the day. GUJRANWALA: Ashura was observed here in this city with religious zeal and the mourners renewed the pledge to face all evils of this era to follow the bravery and courage of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA). As many as 97 processions of Alam, Zuljinnah and Taazia were brought out under strict security measures and participants paid rich tribute to the sacrifice of the Imam. The largest procession was brought out from Imambargah Gulistan Muarfat which marched most of the interior city areas and joined by other processions and ended later at the same venue. CDG, Rangers and Police Administration along with Provincial Minister Ch Abdul Ghafoor monitored the proceedings and remained at their toes till the end of all processions and majaalis. The citizens, NGOs and the CDG itself arranged water, milk and Lungars at roadside to facilitate the mourners and interior city remained under foolproof security. SAHIWAL: The martyrdom day of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) was observed here with religious enthusiasm and fervour. Main procession of tazia, zuljinnah and Alam were taken out from Qsr-e-Batool, while other processions from Ghalla Mandi, Bhutto Nagar and Mohallah Farid Gunj also joined main procession at different places. The procession marched through its specified route and culminated at Qarbala Mahi Shah graveyard after Magrib. KHARIAN: Youm-e-Ashur was observed here in Kharian with religious and traditional zeal and fervour. Central procession was taken out from Imambargah Satarpura and was culminated at Imambargah Kabari Bazaar Kharian. Mourners flagellated themselves and recited Nohas while passing through old traditional routes. Tight security arrangements were made and heavy police contingents were deployed on this occasion. ARIFWALA: Ashura was observed with sanctity and fervour here in the City and its surroundings amid tight security. Tazias, Alams and Zuljinnah processions were taken out which after marching designated routes ended peacefully. The procession was taken out from main Imambargah in D-Block Arifwala. Later, shame Gariban were held in the night. RAJANPUR: With the grace of Almighty, foolproof security arrangements chalked out for Ashura rendered positive results and all processions culminated in a peaceful manner. The district administration and law enforcing agencies played a vital role in this scenario. BUREWALA: Ashura-e-Muharram was observed with religious zeal and devotion amid tight security arrangements here. The main Tazia, Zuljinnah, and Alam possessions were taken out from the Markazi Imambargah Hussainia H-Block under the aegis of Anjuman Hyderia. The main procession marched through Rail Bazaar, Goal Chowk, Vehari Bazaar, Grain Market and Joyia Road and culminated at Karbala Hussainia on Joyia Road peacefully. CHINIOT: Youm-e-Ashur was observed with reverence and religious fervour to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions for the supreme sacrifices rendered by them for the cause of truth, justice and righteousness across the district. Strict security arrangements were made around Imambargahs and routes of mourning processions and other sensitive places across the district. Tazias, Alams and Zuljinnah processions were taken out in Chiniot, Lalian Bhowana and other towns of the district that passed through designated routes. Police pickets had been established on entry and exists points of the city and other main town where every participant of the procession and Majlis-e-Azha was checked. Hospitals had been asked to remain alert to deal with any emergency situation.