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Express Tribune
05-07-2025
- General
- Express Tribune
Major cities under strict security as Muharram 9 processions continue
Listen to article Major cities across the country, including Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar, are observing Muharram 9th processions on Saturday under heightened security, with mobile phone services suspended in some areas and key locations sealed amid fears of unrest. Authorities in Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar deployed tens of thousands of police personnel, sealed sensitive areas, and partially suspended mobile phone services in efforts to prevent any untoward incidents. In Karachi, the main Muharram 9th procession will begin at 1:00 p.m. from Nishtar Park. Prior to the procession, a majlis (religious gathering) will be held at Nishtar Park, where Allama Shahenshah Hussain Naqvi will deliver a sermon. After the majlis, the Imamia Students Organisation will lead the congregational Zuhrain prayers. The procession will follow its traditional route—passing through Numaish, Saddar, Radio Pakistan, Jamia Cloth, and Denso Hall—before concluding at the Husainia Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar. All security arrangements have been finalised for the event. In Lahore, the main procession commenced at 10:00 a.m. in city's Pandu Street area. Punjab Police spokespersons reported more than 147,000 officers and staff were stationed throughout the province to secure 1,689 processions and nearly 3,900 majalis (religious gatherings). In Lahore alone, 79 processions and 378 majalis are being protected by more than 10,000 officers. Read: Karachi traffic plan for Muharram processions Special instructions have been issued to the Dolphin Squad and Police Response Unit (PRU). All teams are maintaining constant coordination with Rescue 1122, the fire brigade, Rescue 15, and other emergency services. Special attention is being paid to the safety of women and children. 'The entire province is on high alert,' said Punjab Inspector General Dr Usman Anwar. 'We're strictly enforcing Section 144 and the Loudspeaker Act.' In Peshawar, due to security concerns, mobile phone services have been suspended for the Muharram 9th and 10th . The city's BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) service has also been halted for two days. The main procession began at 10:00 a.m. from Husainia Hall. The Saddar and Cantonment areas of Peshawar have been completely sealed off, and commercial centres are closed. More than 10,000 police and security personnel have been deployed in Peshawar, while entry of Afghan refugees into the city has been banned for two days. Several major roads including Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Khyber Bazaar, Circular Road, and GT Road have been closed.
Business Recorder
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
DC urges Muharram procession organisers to promote peace
LAHORE: Deputy Commissioner Syed Musa Raza has appealed to the organisers and custodians of Muharram processions to act as 'ambassadors of peace' for the district administration, urging them to promote harmony, tolerance, and unity while upholding the sanctity of Muharram-ul-Haram. He expressed these views during his visits to various Ashura procession routes, said Deputy Commissioner spokesperson on Tuesday. The administration is finalising all arrangements for the upcoming Muharram and Ashura period, aiming to ensure peaceful observances and exemplary services for the citizens. The DC conducted detailed inspections of Ashura procession routes, including Syed Mehdi Hussain Imam Bargah and Gawal Mandi Railway Road, to personally oversee the preparations. He was accompanied by the Chief Officer Metropolitan Corporation Lahore, the Assistant Commissioner Shalimar, and other relevant officials. During the visit, Assistant Commissioner Shalimar Muhammad Saqib Trazi provided a comprehensive briefing on the arrangements, confirming that Rescue 1122 teams and Clinic on Wheels services will be deployed along all Muharram and Ashura procession routes. Furthermore, medical aid camps and water stalls will be set up to cater to the needs of the participants. The DC reiterated that the administration will maintain continuous monitoring of all religious gatherings and processions throughout Muharram-ul-Haram, stressing that no negligence in arrangements will be tolerated. 'Directives have been issued for the completion of all construction work along procession routes before the eve of Ashura. Additionally, WASA officials have been instructed to make special arrangements given the monsoon season, ensuring efficient drainage. Unnecessary obstructions and encroachments along routes are to be removed immediately,' he said, warning that strict action will be taken against violators of the Loudspeaker Act, and urged citizens to contact the District Administration Control Room at 03070002345 in case of any emergency. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Indian Express
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Rahul Gandhi on 2 FIRs against him for ‘unauthorised' event at Bihar hostel: ‘These are medals for me'
Two FIRs have been registered against Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi along with several party functionaries for organising an alleged unauthorised public meeting at the Ambedkar Kalyan Hostel in Darbhanga on Thursday, in violation of prohibitory orders and without permissions. Responding to the cases, Rahul Gandhi said, 'These are all medals for me. There are 30-32 cases against me.' Amit Kumar, SDPO (Sadar), Darbhanga, said that the district administration had granted written permission to Congress to hold the event at Rajendra Bhavan (Town Hall) after a formal request by party workers. However, the authorities said there were 'unauthorised' preparations for a separate programme at the Ambedkar Hostel campus. 'In view of these unauthorised preparations, the Darbhanga Sadar Sub-Divisional Magistrate issued preventive orders under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the enforcement of these orders was duly announced at the site,' Kumar said, adding that leaders and workers on the Ambedkar Hostel campus were 'informed about the prohibitory orders and were requested to vacate the premises.' 'Despite being made aware of the prohibitory orders, Mohammad Sadab Akhtar, National Secretary of NSUI, along with local Congress workers, proceeded to organise a meeting at the hostel without permission. Chairs, tables, tents, fans, and microphones were set up forcibly, and the gathering went ahead with the participation of Rahul Gandhi and 18 other named individuals, as well as approximately 100 unidentified persons,' SDPO Kumar said. Kumar said that an FIR was registered at Laheriasarai police station under Sections 189(2), 189(5), and 132 of the BNS, along with the Loudspeaker Act, based on a complaint of Alok Kumar, district welfare officer of Darbhanga. Another FIR was filed under Section 223 of the BNS and the Loudspeaker Act, based on a complaint by Khurshid Alam, block welfare officer. 'The event was conducted without permission and in direct violation of the prohibitory orders. Video footage of the incident has been secured and is being used to identify others involved,' the SDPO said. Earlier in the day, at the Ambedkar Kalyan Hostel, Gandhi accused the local administration of barricading the road to the venue. 'Do you know why they were not able to stop me?… Because I have the power of your backing… I came through the back doors.' Later, Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge targeted the JDU-BJP government in Bihar, accusing it of 'sheer dictatorship' by 'preventing' Gandhi from holding the event in Darbhanga. 'Is communicating with Dalit, deprived and Backward Class students against the Constitution? Is it a sin to talk to them about their education, their recruitment exams and jobs,' Kharge asked in a post on X. 'It is the height of dictatorship that the JDU-BJP government prevented Rahul Gandhi from attending the 'Shiksha Nyay Samvad' programme at the Ambedkar Hostel in Darbhanga, Bihar,' he said. Rahul Gandhi later claimed that authorities initially had no objection. 'Earlier, they had no objection, but suddenly they tried to stop us. But that's fine, we went ahead and did what we came to do. I spoke about the need for a caste census and called for breaking the 50% reservation cap in private universities and colleges. These are our demands, and we will see them through,' he said. 'I told them, If you want to stop me, go ahead, I have no problem. They didn't stop me, so I went ahead,' the Congress leader said. In a video shared on his social media account, Gandhi was seen telling the officials: 'You do your job, I'll do mine. Go ahead, stop me if you wish.' When asked repeatedly to halt the procession, Gandhi pointed towards the gathering and said, 'If Section 144 has been imposed, then please enforce it. Do your duty.' In response, a police officer remarked, 'We respect you,' to which Gandhi replied, 'I respect you as well… I have given my word to the students that I will come.' Later, SDM Vikas Kumar said, 'They and their party members were given a complete briefing that Town Hall was allotted to them, the order was also issued yesterday itself at their request. Despite this, for reasons unknown, they insisted on going to the hostel, which was prohibited.' He added, 'Since he (Rahul Gandhi) has Z+ security, we had deployed police and magistrates from the airport to Town Hall accordingly. But they went elsewhere, where there was no deployment. I repeatedly told him that BNS 163 is in force, and not to enter within 200 metres, or we will be compelled to file an FIR. I informed them of this several times.'
