Tens of thousands of devotees took to MA Jinnah Road on Tuesday the 10th of Muharram with paying tribute to Hazrat Imam Hussain Ibn-e-Ali and his loyal companions who rendered sacrifices on the soil of Karbala for the noble cause of humanity, justice, and the glory of Islam. Beginning from Nishtar Park in morning, the Ashura procession culminated at the Hussainian Iranian Imambargah at Kharadar peacefully just after dusk, amid high security arrangement by the government.
Around 6650 policemen, besides paramilitary rangers, and other law enforcement personnel were deployed on the jaloos routes to maintain law and order. With a few entry-points into the main Ashura procession route of MA Jinnah Road, the two-fold security checks - first by police, and second scouts - were organised to weld the security shields flawlessly.
Helicopters were continuously flying over the procession route and around to conduct aerial surveillance throughout the day and aided the ground-security personnel to keep a vigilant eye to avert any terror attack. The government had already sealed off sub-roads and streets leading to the procession route three days before the final Muharram ceremony on MA Jinnah Road to scale down the chances of suicide-bombers entry.
The participants offered Namaz-e-Zohrain in congregation at Tibet Centre, amid soaring temperature. Religious scholars shed light on various aspects of Karbala, urging Muslims to follow the path of Imam Hussain for the restoration of the glory of Islam, and ensuring core human values and justice in the society.
They said the Karbala is the battle between the forces of truth and evil, right and wrong and justice and oppression. It's the glaring example of unshakeable faith, bravery, determination, courage, and passions.
They said Imam Hussain the grand child of Hazrat Muhammad PBUH and his loyal family rendered their precious lives for the revival of Islam and core human values.
Karbala is torchbearer for the mankind, as the sacrifices of Ahlelbait have no parallels in the known history of mankind. The heroic and valiant sacrifices of Imam Husain and his loyal companions in hot and blazing sandy desert of Karbala helped secure and uphold the core human values, and justice.
They also expressed disenchantment over enforced disappearances of youths belonging to Shia Muslim community, urging the government and state institutions to help trace their whereabouts as families are concerned for their loved ones and going through severe mental stress.
Black flags and banners inscribed with religious scriptures in hands amid loud sorrowful poems and slogans were played at roadside stalls, the mourners continued beating their chests.
They were screaming "we are present, oh Hussain" all the way to the end of procession just before the dusk.
Big placards, banners, flags and billboards inscribed with religious traditions and verses of Quran were visible elsewhere in the procession route.
A number of roadside camps were set up to provide water and medical assistance to the participants of procession.
Watertight security arrangements were made near Nishtar Park wherefrom the main processions continued to appear for the last three days.
Huge contingent of Rangers and police were deployed on the procession route besides on all sensitive point and roads of the city where security threats were prominent to mourners.
Due to construction work near Numaish roundabout, the organisers had to change the Jaloos route as the procession went through Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto Road, Father Jaminis Road, Mehfil-e-Shah-e-Khurasan, Karachi X-Ray, Peoples Chowrangi, New MA Jinnah Road, Corridor-III, Saddar Dawa Khana, Preedy Street, Tibet Centre, MA Jinnah Road, Baba-e-Urdu, Chand Bibi Chowk, Nishter Road, Nigar Cinema, Altaf Hussain Road, Denso Hall, again MA Jinnah Road, Kharadar Police Station, Bombay Bazaar and culminated at the Hussainian Iranian Imambargah.