Ninth Muharram procession held peacefully amid tight security

KARACHI: The main mourning procession of the ninth of Muharram-ul-Haram held peacefully in Karachi on Thursday, with authorities deploying extensive security arrangements and traffic diversions across the city.

The central procession began at Nishtar Park following a Majlis addressed by Allama Shehenshah Hussain Naqvi, where he spoke about the character and sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the Ahle Bait, and the martyrs of Karbala. He said the eternal sacrifices rendered by the grandson of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and the martyrs of Karbala for the preservation of the faith would be remembered until the Day of Judgment. The procession then set off from Nishtar Park under the leadership of Pak Haideri Scouts.

Moving along Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto Road, the procession reached Namaish Chowrangi on M.A. Jinnah Road, where participants offered Zohrain prayers near Imambargah Ali Raza. The prayers were organised by the Imamia Students Organisation Pakistan, Karachi Division, and led by Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen leader and religious scholar Maulana Sadiq Jafri. Following the prayers, the Imamia Students Organisation held a protest against the United States and Israel, burning their flags at the site.

After the prayers, the procession resumed and passed through Sea Breeze Plaza, Saddar Mansfield Street, Shahrah-e-Liaquat, Empress Market, Preedy Street, and Tibet Centre before rejoining M.A. Jinnah Road. Mourners recited nohas and performed matam in tribute to Syeda Pak. The procession continued through NJV, Radio Pakistan, Saeed Manzil, Jamia Cloth Market, Lighthouse, and Denso Hall before moving toward Bolton Market, Plastic Market, and onward to Kharadar. It passed in front of Khoja Shia Isna Ashari Mosque and imambargah in Kharadar before concluding at the Hussainia Iranian Imambargah via Nawab Mohabbat Khanji Road.

The provincial administration and Karachi Police deployed over 6,000 personnel, including commandos, specialised units, and Sindh Rangers contingents. All streets and lanes leading to the route were sealed with freight containers and other barriers. Trained snipers were posted on high-rise buildings along the procession route to prevent unauthorised access. The Bomb Disposal Squad conducted thorough searching and sweeping of all passageways along the route. A network of CCTV cameras monitored the entire procession in real time, with footage fed to the central control room at the Central Police Office. No vehicles were permitted to move, stop, or park along the procession route.

Mobile and cellular services were suspended in areas along the route as a precautionary measure, and a ban on pillion riding remained in force under Section 144. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and district municipal administrations completed road patchwork and anti-encroachment clearing prior to the event. The Karachi Traffic Police issued alternative routes in advance to allow commuters to continue their journeys without disruption.

Sabeels, community kitchens, and medical camps were set up at various points along the procession route and nearby areas. No untoward incidents were reported anywhere in Karachi. Law enforcement agencies remained on high alert ahead of the main Yaum-e-Ashura processions scheduled for Friday, the 10th of Muharram.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026