Chehlum processions today: tight security, internet shutdown in several areas

RAWALPINDI/LAHORE/KARACHI:  Rawalpindi has declared a holiday today in observance of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA). The holiday applies to Rawalpindi Tehsil City, Cantt, and Sadar areas, as per a notification. Emergency and relief departments are exempt from the holiday.

Metro bus services in Rawalpindi have been suspended for the day. However, the service between Faizabad and Pakistan Secretariat will remain open, a district administration notification said.

Sindh govt announces mobile service suspension on Chehlum

In Sindh, mobile phone services have been suspended in various cities, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Shikarpur, and Khairpur. The suspension has been implemented as a security measure, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) said.

The main procession in Karachi for Chehlum will commence from Nishtar Park. Participants will proceed through designated routes, stopping for noon prayers at Taj Complex on MA Jinnah Road. Roads and markets near the procession routes are closed.

In Lahore, 5,000 policemen and officials have been deployed to ensure security for 40 congregations and 12 processions. Moreover, 12 SPs, 28 SDPOs, 84 SHOs, and over 400 upper subordinates are on duty.

Security arrangements include 110 pickets, 33 walk-through gates, 11 entry points, and 20 container points. The main procession in Lahore will follow traditional routes from Haveli Alf Shah, concluding at Karbala Gamay Shah.

Security arrangements for Chehlum processions finalised

In Islamabad, Chehlum processions were held yesterday. The main G-6 procession concluded peacefully with strong security measures in place. Islamabad Police, led by IG Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi, monitored the security arrangements, including drone surveillance and Safe City cameras. A total of 3,000 officers were deployed for the event, with DIG Syed Ali Raza overseeing operations until the procession’s end.