ISLAMABAD – Pakistan observed 9th of Muharram under heightened security operations, with central processions in Islamabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Peshawar concluding peacefully as authorities maintained a nationwide high alert to ensure the safety of mourners.
The central 9th Muharram procession concluded without any untoward incident after its traditional route from G-6 Asna Ashari Imambargah to the central Imambargah. Thousands of mourners participated in mourning rituals, noha recitations, and matam throughout the day. Participants also offered Maghrib and Isha prayers at Melody Chowk before the procession proceeded via Luqman Hakim Road to its destination. Sabeels and langar were arranged along the route to serve mourners.
Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) remained on high alert until June 26. Emergency rosters for clinical and non-clinical departments were activated, while additional on-call staff from Neurosurgery, Orthopedic, and General Surgery departments were deployed. Ten emergency beds were reserved, blood banks remained fully stocked, and Deputy Director OPD Dr. Naveed Ahmed Sheikh was appointed as the focal person for emergency coordination.
Ensuring peace and security during the central 9th Muharram procession in Islamabad.
SSP CTD Saud Khan remains on the front line with deployed personnel as part of comprehensive security arrangements.#WeRIslamabadPolice #MuharramSecurity #ICTP #CTD pic.twitter.com/W0GWYl9G46
— Islamabad Police (@ICT_Police) June 25, 2026
Across the country, law enforcement agencies implemented extraordinary security measures for Muharram processions and religious gatherings.
In Rawalpindi, the central procession began from Chittian Hattian and concluded at Colonel Maqbool Imambargah after passing through its traditional route. Markets remained closed, snipers were stationed at sensitive locations, and police, Rangers, and other security agencies maintained a heavy presence. Minister of State Talal Chaudhry visited the procession to inspect security arrangements and review entry and exit routes.
Meanwhile, Peshawar witnessed the beginning of Ashura night processions from Qamar Bani Hashim Imambargah and Sain Zareen Imambargah in Imamia Colony, Gulbahar. Authorities said 16 processions would continue through the night before concluding after Fajr prayers. Bomb disposal squads, Rescue 1122 teams, and police remained deployed across the city, while partial suspension of mobile phone services and strict checkpoints were enforced as precautionary measures.
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif directed senior ministers and top officials to personally oversee Muharram security arrangements. Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Provincial Ministers Khawaja Salman Rafique and Bilal Yaseen, along with Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, visited the Bibi Pak Daman Shrine, the Punjab Safe City Authority, and the Provincial Home Department’s Control Room to review preparedness.
Officials informed the delegation that Punjab remained on high alert, with 43 Smart Safe City Centres, more than 130 drones, over 5,600 surveillance cameras, and 400-plus panic buttons actively monitoring processions and sensitive locations. Police officers in the field were provided with live surveillance feeds through LTE-enabled devices, while QR-based panic systems allowed Imambargah administrations to establish instant communication with the Safe City Control Room.
High Alert as 9th Muharram Processions Take Place Across Pakistan
