Lahore (NUT-Desk)
Pakistan is observing Youm-e-Ashura, Muharram 10, with due solemnity in remembrance of the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain amid tight security today and under the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic.
The government has shut down mobile services in major cities of the country, including Karachi, Hyderabad, Quetta, and Sukkur to avoid any untoward incident. The main procession in Karachi will start from Nishtar Park and end at the Hussainian Iranian at Kharadar, with Allama Shahenshah Naqvi addressing it.
The participants of the procession will offer prayers at Tibet Centre, while all the connecting roads of MA Jinnah have been sealed off to provide security to the procession.
The processions will start at 9am in Hyderabad and Jhang, 10am in Faisalabad, 11am in Gujranwala and Rohri, 12pm in Sukkur and Khairpur. The processions have already started in Quetta at 8am and in Dera Ismail Khan at 7:30am.
Standard operating procedures (SOPs) have also been issued for the mourning processions to avert the spread of coronavirus, as the cases in the country increase due to the fourth wave of the pandemic.
Tight security arrangements are in place and all security-related departments have been alerted to avoid any untoward incident during the mourning processions, Radio Pakistan reported.
On the occasion, President Dr Arif Alvi said the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) is a symbol of determination and perseverance and urged the nation to rise above hatred, malice, and sectarianism in line with his teachings.
“We have to prepare ourselves for all kinds of sacrifices by becoming a metaphor of determination and stability for our religion, nation, and country,” the president said.
President Alvi said following such a pathway leads to success in the world and the hereafter, as he highlighted Ashura has a special place in the hearts of the Muslim Ummah. The grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), along with his family and other devoted companions, had sacrificed their lives while fighting the forces of tyranny and oppression, said President Alvi.
He said the immortal sacrifices had revived the spirit of Islam and even today, such character was a source of inspiration for the believers in the moments of trial and tribulation. He said the best way to pay homage to Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) was to pledge about conforming to life in accordance with his teachings.
Amid the fourth wave of COVID-19, he said, the nation must observe precautions, especially during the gatherings and processions of Ashura. He urged the public to adopt precautionary measures and SOPs issued by the government and to get vaccinated for their own protection.
