ISLAMABAD,3 August , 2026 (Raja Kamran): Pakistan remained on high alert on Tuesday as mourners observed the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions, with authorities enforcing stringent security measures and traffic diversions across major cities to ensure the peaceful conduct of processions and religious gatherings. In Punjab, police finalised security arrangements for more than 730 majalis and over 400 mourning processions across the province. Inspector General of Punjab Police Abdul Karim said more than 42,000 police officers and personnel had been deployed to maintain law and order during the observance.
In Lahore, over 10,000 police personnel were assigned to secure 44 majalis and 17 processions. Security measures included the installation of 390 walkthrough gates and 6,427 metal detectors, while the Punjab Safe City Authority monitored events through its extensive network of surveillance cameras. Elite Force personnel, traffic police and volunteers were also deployed to assist with security and crowd management. The provincial police chief directed Capital City Police Officers (CCPOs), Regional Police Officers (RPOs) and District Police Officers (DPOs) to personally supervise the security arrangements.
Snipers were stationed on rooftops along procession routes, while female police officers were deployed to screen women mourners. Special security measures were also put in place for devotees attending the annual Urs of Data Ganj Bakhsh at Lahore’s Data Darbar, with dedicated control rooms monitoring both events around the clock. The main Chehlum procession in Lahore began from Haveli Alif Shah inside Delhi Gate under a three-tier security plan. The procession is following its traditional route, with mourners scheduled to offer Zuhrain prayers at Wazir Khan Mosque before concluding at Karbala Gamay Shah around Maghrib. Police said participants were allowed to join only after passing through multiple security checks, while adjoining streets were sealed with temporary barricades and barbed wire.
Meanwhile, in Karachi, the central Chehlum procession commenced from Nishtar Park and is proceeding along its traditional route under strict security. Authorities closed M.A. Jinnah Road and placed containers at key access points to restrict entry to the procession route. The Karachi Traffic Police issued a comprehensive traffic diversion plan, redirecting vehicles from Shahrah-e-Quaideen towards Kashmir Road and Peoples Chowrangi. Motorists travelling from Hasan Square were advised to use Shahrah-e-Quaideen, Society Signal and Teen Hatti via Lasbela Chowk. Traffic from Nazimabad has been diverted through Lasbela, Garden and Nishtar Road, while vehicles coming from Shahrah-e-Faisal are being routed towards Kashmir Road through Society Signal. Traffic travelling from Saddar to Tower has been diverted via Preedy Street and I.I. Chundrigar Road. Authorities urged citizens to cooperate with law enforcement agencies, follow the designated traffic routes, and report any suspicious activity as security remained on high alert across the country throughout the observance.