Youm-e-Ashur, the tenth of Muharram, was observed across the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) with due solemnity to pay homage to supreme sacrifices rendered by Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions in Karbala.
In Peshawar, the first procession was taken out from Imambargah Agha Syed Ali Shah, near Meena Bazaar, early in the afternoon. The second procession was taken out from Imambargah Alamdar Karbala, Kocha Risaldar, Qissa Khawni Bazaar at around 1:00pm, the third from Imambargah Akhundabad, Mohallah Naubajauri, at around 2:00pm and the fourth from Syed Alam Shah Koochi Bazaar at the same time. At least 12 major Zuljinah processions were taken out in the provincial capital on Sunday and mostly took place in the interior city. In the evening, Sham-i-Ghariban majlis was held.
Strict security arrangements were in place at all sensitive areas of the country, especially the routes of processions, to avert any untoward incident. The police had declared routes of processions sensitive and installed extra security cameras while additional security was put in place. The district administration imposed Section 144 banning pillion riding and entry of Afghan refugees into the interior city and Cantt areas during the holy month of Muharram.
Cellular phone network remained suspended in Peshawar and other cities as well in different parts of tribal areas. Snipers were stationed in balconies of the buildings lining the procession's traditional route as well as on rooftops of skyscrapers, from where they had an eagle's eye view of the procession. The participants of procession recited Nauhas and passed through the specified route ie Saddar Road, Kalabari, Fawwara Chowk. Similarly, mourning processions in Kurram Agency's Parachinar area and Orakzai Agency passed peacefully without any untoward incidents, thanks to the law enforcement agencies. In Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the processions in Kohat, Hangu and Peshawar ended with peace.
The participants flagellated themselves while passing through different roads and streets of the old city. The procession concluded at the Imambargah Bibi Zikree Sahiba in the evening. The entire city was sealed and no vehicle was allowed to enter the cantonment. As elsewhere, the Youm-e-Ashur was observed in district Hangu and Orakzai Agency on Sunday with due solemnity and sanctity amid strict security to pay homage to the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions at Karbala.
The main mourning procession which started from the national Imambargah Paskali went through its traditional routes in the morning, concluded peacefully at the same Imambargah in the afternoon. A Majlis was held at Pat Baazar and it was addressed by Allama Khurshid Anwar Jawadi. He threw light on the esteem sacrifices of Shuhad-e-Karbala.
The participants of the mourning procession offered `Namaz-e-Zohrain' at the Pat Baazar wherein small procession from Gunjab Kali and Saidan Banda joined the main procession. There were sabeels on both side of the way of the procession. DPO Hangu Ihsan Ullah, Commandant Tal Scouts Col. Mubashir Nadeem along with other civil and military officials were also present. There were strict security arrangements and the personnel of Pakistan Army, Police, Frontier Corps, and Frontier Constabulary had been deployed for security duty who escorted the main procession. The mobile phone service in the district was suspended for two-day, on the 9th and on the 10th of Muharram ul Haram, while pillion riding was also prohibited to ensure peace in the district.