LAHORE (Web Desk) – Youm-e-Ali – the martyrdom day of Hazrat Ali (RA) – is being observed today (Thursday) amid tight security across the country.
Special security arrangements have been made to avoid any untoward incident. The mourning processions will follow the planned routes and gather at the pre-decided venues.
In Lahore, a mourning procession will emerge from Mubarak Haveli, proceeding through Chowk Nawab Sahab, Mochi Gate, Kucha Sheyan, Old Kotwali, Kashmir Bazar, Bhati Gate and will conclude at Kerbala Gamay Shah.
Participants of the procession will also offer Zuhr prayer at Chowk Rang Mahal.
As part of security measures, the procession routes have been divided into 12 sectors and eight entry points have been made, where 33 walkthrough gates have been installed.
Monitoring of sensitive areas is being carried out through CCTV cameras, three drone cameras and a helicopter while cellular service on the routes of mourning processions will remain suspended till conclusion of the event.
In Karachi, the mourning procession will show up from Nishtar Park around 1:00 and will reach MA Jinnah Road.
More than 11,000 policemen and 1,000 Rangers personnel have been deployed in the city whereas containers have been placed on the roads to secure the procession.
223 police commandos have also been deployed on 223 buildings and snipers have been deployed at 22 nearby high-rise buildings to protect the mourners.
Police are using a robot called IED for the first time during the clearance operation. The robot has the capability to defuse a bomb.
According to the traffic plan presented by Sindh police, MA Jinnah Road and Parade Street will remain blocked for traffic and the motorists are being diverted to Soldier Bazar and Nishtar Road.
Traffic from Nazimabad towards MA Jinnah Road has been diverted to Nishtar Road from Lasbela Chowk while traffic from Liaquatabad is being diverted to Martin Road and Jail Road from Teen Hatti.
Arrangements have been made to organise 331 mourning congregations in three zones of the metropolis whereas 178 processions will merge with main rally on MA Jinnah Road.
In Quetta, pillion riding has been banned for two days under section 144 as part of the security arrangements for Youm-e-Ali procession.
Main procession will be taken out at 9:30pm and will proceed through Nechari Chowk, Alamdar Chowk, Abdullah Masjid Street, Kansi Road, Megangi Road, Archer Road Cross, Art School Road, Prince Road, Safeer Masjid Chowk and will conclude at Alamdar Road Nechari Chowk.
Heavy contingents of security men comprising more than 1500 police, ATF, BC and RRG personnel will be deployed for security of the procession. Bomb disposal squad will carry out sweeping operation using sniffer dogs and special tools on the procession routes. Participants will not be allowed to enter the rally without special pass.
In Peshawar, the district administration has imposed section 144 for three days to avert any untoward incident.
According to a notification issued by Deputy Commission Peshawar Riaz Mehsud, section 144 has been imposed from July 8 to 10 to maintain law and order in the city.
