More than 12,000 police officers and personnel were deployed across Rawalpindi and Islamabad as Ashura processions got underway on Friday, with extensive security measures including snipers on high-rise buildings, drones, a custom CNIC scanning app, and a complete suspension of mobile and internet services in Rawalpindi.

Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi’s central procession emerged from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain, Teli Mohalla, where more than 8,000 police officers and personnel were on duty. Of these, more than 5,500 were assigned to the central procession alone, with more than 1,200 traffic police officers also performing duties. More than 1,000 volunteers assisted with security.

All routes leading to the mourning processions were sealed, with the city being monitored through more than 2,000 Safe City and other cameras and continuous oversight from the Safe City and Central Control Room. Snipers were deployed on high-rise buildings, and monitoring was also being carried out through drones. Procession participants were only allowed entry after body searches, with lady police personnel conducting checks on women. Metal detectors and walk-through gates were also in place.

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Rawalpindi Police developed a special identification and scanning app which can scan any person’s CNIC instantly. Security personnel used the app at entry pickets and bus terminals, verifying processioners’ identities.

Rawalpindi administration imposed a ban on pillion riding while mobile phone and internet services remain completely suspended. Standing on rooftops and at windows along procession routes was prohibited, as was keeping stones or bricks on rooftops or bringing matches, cigarettes, lighters, or weapons into the processions.

Emergency was declared at hospitals, with 350 closed-circuit cameras installed and a control room established, with Governor Saleem Haider, the commissioner, RPO, CPO, and deputy commissioner conducting visits.

“Full implementation of the code of conduct and SOPs issued by the Punjab government will be ensured,” said the CPO.

The first procession emerged from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain in Teli Mohalla, the second from Imambargah Colonel Maqbool, the third from Imambargah Hifazat Ali Shah, the fourth from Imambargah Shohda-e-Karbala in Tyre Bazaar, the fifth from Imambargah Darbar Shah Chan Chiragh Badshah, and the sixth from Imambargah Baltistania. All processions were to converge at Purana Qila Urdu Bazaar Chowk, with participants offering Zuhr and Asr prayers at Fawara Chowk, while Maghrib and Isha prayers are to be offered on Jamia Masjid Road.

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The central procession will pass through its designated routes and conclude late at night. At the request of the administration, police will receive assistance from the Rangers, while Pakistan Army troops will remain on call.

Murree

In Murree, the central Ashura procession was to emerge on Mall Road, which has been completely closed to all traffic and the route cleared, said DPO Dr Muhammad Raza Tanveer. Tourists entering Murree must have a confirmed hotel booking, while locals will only be allowed entry upon presenting their CNIC. Movement at all locations in Murree except Mall Road will remain unrestricted, with additional police personnel deployed on alternative routes to keep traffic flowing. The DPO urged people to download the “Safe Tourism Murree” app for real-time traffic and security updates.

Islamabad

In Islamabad, more than 4,000 police officers and personnel were deployed across Imambargahs, procession routes, religious gatherings, and mosques for Friday prayers. Inspector General (IG) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi personally supervised all Ashura security arrangements, with DIG Safe City/Traffic Haroon Joiya, DIG Muhammad Jawad Tariq, DIG Security Rana Umar Farooq, and other senior officers conducting field visits to Imambargahs and procession routes.

IG Rizvi stated, “All officers and personnel should perform their duties during Muharram with complete honesty, dedication, and a spirit of service,” reaffirming that Islamabad Police “remains committed to ensuring the safety of mourners and maintaining law and order on Ashura.”

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According to Islamabad police, the procession “will commence from Imambargah Musa Kazim and proceed through Khayaban-e-Sir Syed before concluding back at Imambargah Musa Kazim.”

Due to this, the police noted that traffic will be diverted from various roads, announcing alternative routes. “Citizens are requested to use alternative routes during the procession,” the police said, adding that those participating in the procession “should park their vehicles and motorcycles in the designated parking areas.”

Meanwhile, Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gilani, in a message on the occasion of Ashura, termed the day an “eternal symbol of truth, righteousness, patience, sacrifice, and standing firm against oppression.” He added, “The tragedy of Karbala highlights the clear distinction between truth and falsehood in every era.”

Saying that Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions made great sacrifices in Karbala “to safeguard the religion of Islam, human dignity, and the principles of justice and fairness,” the chairman said that the occasion “conveys the message of promoting unity, tolerance, brotherhood, and national solidarity.” He called on the nation to adopt in its character and collective behaviour the noble values for which the Ahl-e-Bait (RA) offered eternal sacrifices.

Peshawar

More than 10,000 security personnel were deployed in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s (K-P’s) capital, Peshawar, as 12 Ashura processions got underway across the city, said Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Peshawar Dr Mian Saeed.

He added that inner city was completely sealed and mobile phone services partially suspended, with monitoring carried out through drones, Safe City cameras, and 171 CCTV cameras. An anti-drone system was also installed, while three command posts were established and police checkpoints set up at the city’s entry points.

The CCPO noted that the Pakistan Army and other security agencies were working alongside K-P police to ensure order and safety amid the processions. “We hope that Ashura will pass peacefully across the country today,” he said.

The first procession emerged from Syed Ali Shah Rizvi Imambargah, passing through its traditional routes before concluding at Agha Mustafa Shah Imambargah.

Further, Rescue 1122 deployed special medical teams in case of any emergency, while water and refreshment stalls were set up at various locations along the procession routes.

K-P Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi, in a special message on the occasion, said that “Karbala is not merely an event, but the title of humanity’s eternal victory in the battle between truth and falsehood.”

He said the sacrifice of Imam Hussain (AS) “shook the halls of oppression and made the supremacy of truth eternal,” adding that “standing united against oppression, tyranny, fascism, and injustice is the need of the hour.”

Further, CM Afridi said “We must adopt the message of Karbala to strengthen Pakistan, promote national unity, and uphold Islamic values.”

Meanwhile, Provincial Information Minister Shafi Jan termed the tragedy of Karbala “an eternal saga of patience, steadfastness, selflessness, sacrifice, and standing firm for the sake of truth, which will serve as a guiding torch for all humanity until the end of time.”

The minister paid tribute to Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions, stating that “their great sacrifice for the supremacy of truth and against falsehood, oppression, and tyranny is an unparalleled chapter in the history of humanity.”

Jan “emphasised the need to promote national unity, inter-sect harmony, and brotherhood,” appealing to “revered scholars, elders, and people from all schools of thought to play their full role in fostering peace, tolerance, and mutual respect so that an atmosphere of peace and security can be maintained in the province.”

Awami National Party (ANP) Central President Senator Aimal Wali Khan, in his message, said the great sacrifices of Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions remain “a shining symbol of resistance against tyranny.”

He noted that K-P remains in the grip of terrorism, insecurity, and bloodshed, with innocent citizens, security personnel, political workers, religious scholars, and young people continuing to be targeted. He called for a “clear, serious, and consistent strategy” to eliminate terrorism, and said all schools of thought should play their role in promoting religious harmony, mutual respect, unity, and tolerance.

“Lasting peace is established not through the gun, but through justice, the supremacy of the Constitution, and the rights of the people,” he said.

Kohat

The Ashura mourning procession in Kohat emerged from Bannu Bazaar, passing through its traditional routes to reach Milad Chowk, where it will converge with processions from Qaumi Imambargah and Syed Habib Imambargah.

More than 2,100 police personnel were deployed in the city, procession routes were sealed, and mobile phone services were suspended across the district.