The incident took place when a crowd of mourners tried to pass the Rangers to enter the procession at which the security personnel tried to stop them.

Following that hot words were exchanged and the Rangers seeing that the mob was about to attack them, resorted to aerial firing after which the incident took on a complexion of a stand-off between the members of the procession and the Rangers.

However, no injuries or casualties were reported.

Everything turned to normal after a little while with the mourners joining the procession which will culminate later in the evening after 7pm.

Youm-e-Ali is observed every year on the 21st of Ramazan to mourn the martyrdom of Hazrat Ali (RA). Processions are held throughout the country.

Police deployed containers on the route of the procession and sealed all streets and roads linking to the main MA Jinnah Road with the view to block any irrelevant person's entry.

All commercial markets in the way of procession were sealed after a thorough scrutiny on Wednesday night. Rangers and police held separate meetings in their offices to finalise foolproof security arrangements to maintain law and order on the occasion.

The procession after passing through its conventional route of Nishter Park, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto Road, Britto Road, MA Jinnah Road, Mansfield Street, Boulton Market, Rampart Row Road and Nawab Mahabat Khanji Road, will culminate at Hussainian Iranian Imambargah, Kharadar before Iftar at around 07:00pm. The faithful will also offer Zohrain prayer at MA Jinnah Road.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2012