The Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and the martyrs of Karbala is being commemorated today under rigorous security measures. Authorities have mobilized thousands of police officers, Rangers, and Pakistan Army troops to ensure safety, while traffic diversions have been implemented in major cities such as Lahore, Rawalpindi, Karachi, and others.
Security forces have intensified monitoring around processions, majalis, and related religious events. Additional personnel have been stationed at sensitive areas and along procession routes to maintain order throughout the day.
In Punjab, the Home Department announced that 869 majalis and 494 processions are taking place across the province in observance of Chehlum. Following recommendations by Punjab Police, federal assistance was sought, resulting in the deployment of 15 Pakistan Army companies and 28 Pakistan Rangers companies across 18 districts. Troops have been positioned in Lahore, Sialkot, Narowal, Gujrat, Rawalpindi, Attock, Chakwal, Sargodha, Khushab, Mianwali, Bhakkar, Faisalabad, Jhang, Pakpattan, Dera Ghazi Khan, Layyah, Bahawalpur, and Rahim Yar Khan to reinforce security at key procession routes and majalis venues.
Authorities emphasized that all necessary steps have been taken to uphold law and order during both the Chehlum observances and the annual Urs of Hazrat Ali bin Usman Hajveri (Data Ganj Bakhsh).
Meanwhile, Rawalpindi’s City Traffic Police deployed over 310 officers to manage 11 Chehlum processions throughout the district. Traffic has been rerouted at 12 critical points, with several main roads closed during procession times, including sections of Liaquat Road, City Saddar Road, Kashmiri Bazaar Road, Ganjmandi Road, Bagh Sardaran Road, Iqbal Road, Garden College Road, Asghar Mall Road, Fourth Road, and Fifth Road. Alternative routes have been established to minimize disruption, and extra traffic wardens are on duty to facilitate vehicle flow. Chief Traffic Officer Farhan Aslam instructed strict enforcement of the traffic plan in coordination with district police and advised commuters to avoid unnecessary travel, especially on Murree Road during procession hours.
In Karachi, nearly 5,000 police personnel have been deployed as part of a comprehensive security plan for the central Chehlum procession, which started at 9 a.m. from Nishtar Park and will conclude at Imambargah Hussainia Iranian in Kharadar. MA Jinnah Road, from Guru Mandir to Tower, has been closed to all traffic to accommodate security arrangements. Detailed alternative routes are in place for motorists traveling through District Central, East, and South, with special provisions for heavy vehicles entering the city. No vehicles, heavy or light, are permitted beyond Guru Mandir towards the procession route, except those carrying authorized procession stickers allowed through designated entry points. Karachi Police have also deployed 139 police vehicles, rooftop snipers, CCTV monitoring teams, search and strike units, rapid response teams, and security personnel at hospitals and alternate routes to ensure a peaceful observance.
Authorities have appealed to the public to cooperate with law enforcement, adhere to traffic diversions, and avoid unnecessary travel near procession areas. Police, Rescue 1122, district administrations, and other emergency services remain on high alert to respond swiftly to any incidents and guarantee the safe conduct of Chehlum nationwide.
In Islamabad, the Alam, Tazia, and Zuljinnah procession on August 3, originating from Markazi Imambargah Asna-i-Ashri in G-6/2, has been designated as Category A, indicating high sensitivity. Over 1,748 security personnel, including 124 Rangers, have been deployed under a two-tier security system, with police forming the initial cordon and Rangers providing secondary protection. Participants are subjected to physical searches using walk-through gates and metal detectors before entering the procession route, which remains fully closed to traffic. The display of weapons is strictly prohibited except for security forces. Additionally, petrol stations along the route have been shut down. Mounted police, surveillance teams, anti-riot units, armored personnel carriers, prison vans, water cannons, and emergency response teams have also been deployed to maintain order and safety during the event.
