PARACHINAR, Kurram Agency – Besides maintaining peace and law and order in Muharram, soldiers of Pakistan Army are winning the hearts of locals by setting up special stalls of niaz and sabeel in Parachinar, the headquarters of Kurram Agency.
Strict security measures have been taken in the area to avoid any untoward incident on the occasion. Main roads and streets in and outside Parachinar have been barricaded for traffic.
The political administration has sealed off Pak-Afghan border in Kurram Agency as part of security measures for Muharramul Haram. The local administration has also banned pillion riding while security check posts have been established at all entry and exits points of the city.
CCTV cameras have also been installed on all the main streets and roads of the city. Meanwhile, security forces have beefed up deployment at over 300 Imambargahs in Parachinar to avoid the possibility of any sectarian mishap.
Ashura, on the 10th day of Muharram, remembers the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain Ibn-e-Ali (AS), one of the grandsons of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), and is marked by large public commemorations by Muslims every year.
Strict security arrangements have been ensured across the country. Contingents of police, Rangers and elite forces have been deployed in sensitive areas countrywide to avoid any untoward situation whereas aerial surveillance is also being carrying out. Command and control centres have also been established to monitor the processions while CCTV cameras are also being used.
Mobile phone services were partially suspended in major cities across the country on Saturday due to strict security arrangements to safeguard Muharram processions. Cellular and internet services were partially suspended in parts of Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta and other cities beginning today, as authorities finalised arrangements ahead of the processions.
Mobile phone services had also been partially suspended in different parts of the country on Friday.
