Lahore: On the 10th of Muharram, Ashura (today) will be celebrated on Sunday (today) with traditional religious fervor and enthusiasm. Strict security arrangements were made to commemorate the sacrifice.

Authorities have tightened security to allay terrorist fears, including additional measures such as suspending mobile phone service along and around the main procession route and sensitive areas, riding a pine through CCTV and monitoring. Included. Loyalists in Lahore are fully committed to maintaining the traditional religious devotion to Ashura with full commitment and enthusiasm on this occasion.

Mourning activities reached their peak on Saturday, Muharram 9, as various processions of Zul Jinnah, Alam and Taziya were taken out from different areas of the provincial capital. The main procession was taken out of Islampura on Pando Street in the morning and ended at the same place at night. Other prominent processions were taken out from Zafar Colony, Wasanpura, Shadman, Green Town, Mughalpura and Ferozepur Road. The procession marched along traditional routes before ending peacefully at designated locations.

The main Zul Jinnah procession of Ashura left Nisar Haveli inside the Cobbler's Gate late on Saturday night amid tight security and began its day-long journey on its traditional route. The procession with hundreds of mourners will end on Sunday evening at Karbala Gamay Shah near Data Darbar.

The procession will pass through its path and from Mohalla Chahel Babian, Imambargah Syed Wajid Ali Shah, Lakkar Mandi, Imambargah Mehdi Shah, Mubarak Haveli, Chowk Nawab Sahab, Kocha Qazi Khan, Imambargah Maulvi Feroz Ali, Kocha Miskinan, Mohalla Pir Gilaniyan. Will pass Imambargah Rajab Ali Shah, Choha Mu Mufti Baqir, Chowk Purani Kotwali, Kashmiri Bazaar, Golden Mosque, Dabi Bazaar, Soha Bazaar, Gumti Bazaar, Syed Matha Bazaar, Tehsil Bazaar, Bazaar Hakeeman, Inchi Mosque and Bhati Chowk.

Before the commencement of the procession, a mourning ceremony was held in which Musab bs was narrated by well known Zakreen. Earlier in the day, various mourners recited verses in the assembly which offered verses of devotion to the martyrs of Karbala. A large number of mourners, beating their chests and reciting Noah, joined the procession, who later joined the procession and observed Mutham (flag) with chains and knives at various places along the way. To facilitate the mourners, most Sunnis set up a large number of juice, milk and water wells. In addition, various political and social activists and other district government officials put up several banners demanding Shia-Sunni unity. All markets and businesses were closed on the occasion of Ashura, while newspapers published special supplements and electronic media aired special programs to highlight the importance of the program. The Lahore administration has taken extra security measures in view of the ongoing wave of terrorism and threats to neighboring countries, which is evident in the warning issued to the government by the intelligence agencies for fear of a possible terrorist attack on Muharram gatherings.

In addition to suspending mobile phone service in sensitive areas, police, rangers and army personnel patrol various areas, while special forces personnel and snipers have taken up positions on the roofs of buildings along the way to keep an eye on miscreants. In addition, army helicopters monitored the procession on their routes. The procession route has been closed to the public and pedestrians, while law enforcement officials have blocked roads leading to the main route of the procession. The search is on for local residents entering the area to reach their homes and shops.

Special security gates and scanners have been set up at the entrances to the Imambargahs to search for participants. On the way, residents of the buildings are barred from opening their windows and coming to the roofs, but women and children are allowed to watch the procession through the windows.

The town administration of Data Town has installed additional lights along the route to illuminate the area to facilitate security personnel especially at night to maintain law and order. Town moderators and other officials also inspected the situation at various points along the way to ensure peace.

After the end of the procession, Majlis-e-Shama Ghariban will be held inside Karbala Gamay Shah in which Mumtaz Zakreen will highlight the importance of the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions.

Ambulances have been set up by the city district government and other relief organizations to transport the injured to hospitals, while volunteers will provide first aid to mourners during and after the mourning.