Lahore observed Youm-e-Ashur (10th Muharram) peacefully as all major mourning processions and religious gatherings concluded on Friday without any major untoward incident under unprecedented security arrangements by the Punjab government and law enforcement agencies.
Processions and Majalis Held Across Lahore
According to official figures, 81 mourning processions and 386 majalis were held across Lahore during the 9th and 10th of Muharram under a comprehensive security plan. Of these, 45 mourning processions and 231 majalis were held on 10th Muharram (Ashura) alone. More than 12,000 police officers and personnel were deployed across the city on Ashura.
The main Zuljinah procession commenced from Nisar Haveli inside Mochi Gate after the traditional Majlis-e-Aza, where renowned noha reciters presented Soz-o-Salam. A large number of mourners gathered at Nisar Haveli from the early hours of the morning. Religious scholar Allama Amjad Ali Abidi addressed the main majlis before the symbolic Zuljinah was brought out for public visitation.
Traditional Routes and Mourner Participation
Following the majlis, the historic Zuljinah procession emerged from Nisar Haveli and proceeded via Mubarak Haveli before following its traditional route through the Walled City to conclude at Karbala Gamay Shah in the evening. Thousands of mourners participated in the procession, while volunteers arranged sabeels of water, milk and sherbet and distributed langar along the route.
Another historic Zuljinah procession was taken out from Imambargah Aiwan-e-Haider at Thokar Niaz Baig. The procession followed its traditional route and reached Imambargah Aun-o-Muhammad, where a large number of mourners participated in noha recitation and matam.
Security Arrangements by Division
According to DIG Operations Faisal Kamran, security arrangements on Ashura covered 56 majalis and six processions in City Division, 34 majalis and five processions in Iqbal Town Division, 37 majalis and four processions in Sadr Division, 46 majalis and 18 processions in Cantonment Division, 25 majalis and six processions in Civil Lines Division, and 33 majalis and six processions in Model Town Division.
Police established a four-layer security cordon around all major processions and majalis. Safe Cities Authority cameras and central control rooms monitored the events continuously, while Elite Force, Dolphin Squad, Police Response Unit (PRU), Traffic Police, Special Branch and the Counter Terrorism Department (CTD) remained on high alert.
Monitoring and Enforcement
Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari and CCPO Lahore Bilal Siddique Kamyana monitored security arrangements throughout the day. Kamyana said a ban on motorcycle pillion riding remained in force while Section 144 was being strictly enforced. He urged citizens to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and immediately report any suspicious activity.
Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Raheem Shirazi personally inspected the route of the central procession and reviewed traffic and security arrangements. He briefed traffic wardens deployed at diversion points and said the central procession would proceed from Nisar Haveli to Karbala Gamay Shah under a comprehensive traffic management plan.
Traffic and Civic Management
The CTO said six circle officers, 210 senior traffic wardens, 140 patrolling officers and more than 1,000 traffic wardens were deployed to regulate traffic and facilitate commuters. A dedicated traffic control room monitored the situation throughout the day. He directed officials to keep routes clear for emergency vehicles at all times to ensure an immediate response in case of any emergency.
WAPDA, WASA, the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) and other civic departments remained actively engaged to facilitate mourners, while the Suthra Punjab Authority deployed more than 320 sanitation workers along procession routes and at imambargahs. Special cleanliness and waste clearance operations continued throughout the day, including at Karbala Gamay Shah and other major procession routes.
Emergency Response and Medical Aid
Rescue 1122 implemented a special emergency response plan with 1,350 rescuers, 55 ambulances, 300 rescue motorbikes, 42 fire and rescue vehicles and two specialised high-tech snorkel vehicles on high alert. Rescue posts were established at majalis, while additional ambulances accompanied major processions. Rescue officials said 34 mourners were provided first aid on the spot, and Director General Rescue Punjab Dr Rizwan Ahmed inspected emergency arrangements throughout the day.
Inspector General Punjab Police Abdul Kareem praised police officers, Rescue 1122 personnel, volunteers and allied departments for ensuring the peaceful observance of Ashura. He said coordinated planning, strict security measures and public cooperation enabled all processions and majalis to conclude safely.
Conclusion
Authorities confirmed that no major law and order incident, terrorist attack or security breach was reported anywhere in Lahore during Ashura. Traffic was restored in phases after the dispersal of the processions, marking the peaceful conclusion of the city’s Muharram observances.
