KARACHI: The city observed Youm-e-Ali - the martyrdom anniversary of Hazrat Ali (R.A) on Wednesday with deep religious reverence, as a large central procession marched through the historic routes under an extensive security blanket.
The day began with a majlis-e-aza at Nishtar Park, organized by Zameer ul Hassan Trust, where Allama Amjad Raza Johari delivered the address. The central procession subsequently departed from Nishtar Park under the leadership of Abwa Turab Scouts.
As the procession reached MA Jinnah Road, the Imamia Students Organization (ISO) Karachi Region arranged a congregational Zuhr and Asr prayer in front of Masjid wa Imambargah Ali Raza, led by Hujjat ul Islam Maulana Asghar Shahidi.
Addressing participants, speakers condemned US strikes on Iran and Israeli atrocities in Palestine. They said that following the martyrdom of Supreme Leader Syed Ali Khamenei, the goals of resistance movements had become clearer, with oppressed peoples worldwide uniting for Palestinian liberation.
They demanded that the government sever diplomatic ties with states that have aided US and Israeli aggression, called for action over the killing of Pakistani nationals at the US Consulate on March 1 by US Marines, and urged the registration of cases against the Marines with a fair investigation.
The speakers also condemned terrorism emanating from Afghanistan and India, expressed support for security operations against such elements, and warned against what he described as global conspiracies to foment sectarianism within Pakistan and destabilize Balochistan.
At the conclusion of prayers, the US and Israeli flags were burned and slogans were raised in solidarity with Palestine, Lebanon, and Yemen.
The procession then moved along its traditional route — MA Jinnah Road, Sea Breeze, Sadar Dawakhana, Mansfield Street, Regal Chowk, Preedy Street, back to MA Jinnah Road, Bolton Market, Bhatti Bazar, Kharadar, and Nawab Mohabbat Khanji Road — before concluding at Hussainia Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar.
Security arrangements were extensive.
Over 5,000 police officers and Rangers personnel were deployed, with sharpshooters stationed on high-rise buildings along the route. All side streets and lanes were sealed with containers and barriers. Shops along the route were searched by the Bomb Disposal Unit before being sealed.
Sniffer dogs swept the procession route, walk-through gates were installed at entry points, and CCTV cameras and dedicated monitoring cells tracked the procession throughout. All attendees were searched before entry.
Sindh Home Minister Zia ul Hassan Lanjar, IGP Sindh Javed Alam Odho, Additional IG Karachi Azad Khan, and other senior police officials personally reviewed the route and security arrangements.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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