By Sadiq Ali Rind and Younis Chandio
HYDERABAD: The people of Hyderabad Sunday observed Youm-e-Ashur, the martyrdom day of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his 72 companions in Karbala, with due reverence and religious sanctity like other parts of the country. Besides Majalis-e-Aza and Zikr-e-Hussain, the mourning processions with Alam, Tazia and Zuljinah were taken out from different parts of Hyderabad, Latifabad, Qasimabad and Hyderabad Rural talukas. Majority of these mourning processions later joined the main procession of mourners broung out under the banner of Anjuman-e-Haideri from Qadamgah Moula Ali in the morning hours. The processions after marching its traditional route of Station Road, culminated at Karbala Dadan Shah before Assar Prayers. Another mourning procession of Zuljinah was brought out from Qadamgah Moula Ali, which after marching its traditional routes, terminated back to Qadamgah before Maghrib prayers. The procession of Alam and Tazia was taken out from Market area in the afternoon, which later will culminate in late evening at Phuleli canal after marching its traditional routes. Traditional procession of “Haidoss” was also be brought out from Khata Chowk and Siro Ghat areas, where hundreds of the people paid homage to grandson of Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH) in their own religious tradition. Besides processions, Majalis-e-Aza and Zikr-e-Hussain with Nazar and Niaz were also held in a number of areas where the speakers highlighted the supreme sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his 72 other companions for supremacy of Islam. Keeping in view the recent incidents of suicidal attack in Lahore and Peshawar, the local administration has adopted comprehensive security arrangements on the way of the routes of mourning processions and at the venues of Majalis-e-Aza. Besides Police and Razakars of the Civil Defence, Rangers personnel provided security cover by escorting the processions. The Police and Rangers have also been deployed at different points in order to prevent any untoward attempt. At different spots, hidden cameras have been installed and linked with the monitoring centre, established at City Police Station.
The District Nazim Kanwar Naveed Jamil also visited the routes of mourning processions and continuously monitored the situation along with other public representatives of the areas. Besides reviewing the security arrangements, he also inspected the arrangements of provision of ambulances and first aid facilities, arranged by the Health Department. The District Nazim also visited different medical camps, established by various political and social welfare organizations including Muttahida Qaumi Movement on the routes of mourning processions. The District Police Officer Imran Shaukat along with other Police Officers also visited different areas from where the processions were passed and later monitored the situation from the Police Control Room established at City Police Station. To commemorate the day and pay homage to supreme sacrifices of hazrat Imam Hussain and his companions, the local newspapers brought out special supplements highlighting the incident of Karbala and aftermaths. Pakistan Broadcasting House Hyderabad and other local radio and television channels also broadcast and telecast special programmes on martyrdom day.
All arrangements finalized for ODI at Niaz Stadium
All arrangements have been finalized to organize One Day International between Pakistan and Zimbabwe here at Niaz Stadium on January 24, 2008 in a successful manner. Both the teams would arrive early morning on January 23 and the local administration in consultant with the officials of Pakistan Cricket Board has made their boarding and lodging arrangements in satisfactory manner, Abdul Hussain Shah, the Regional Development Manager PCB Hyderabad Region informed the newsmen on Monday. Soon after arrival, the country team would hold net practice session while Zimbabweans would carry out net practice in the afternoon, he added. Abdul Hussain Shah, who rendered great services in bringing the deserted outfield into a leveled green carpeted ground, said that maximum possible facilities have been ensured for both teams. The players dressing rooms have been renovated with all required international level facilities while the media box of the stadium has also been expanded to accommodate print and electronic media. The District Nazim, who remained in touch with PCB officials also visited the stadium on Monday and expressed his satisfaction over the arrangements. The District Nazim Hyderabad along with PCB officials has already prepared a fool proof security plan in order to maintain law and order in and outside the stadium on January 24. The District Nazim has already announced local holiday on January 24 so that the people could witness the international match, which is being organized at historic Niaz Stadium after a gap of ten years. In order to make the security arrangements more effective, the District Government would also seek the assistance of Pakistan Army, Kanwar Naveed Jamil informed adding that close circuit cameras would be installed at hidden places in order to monitor the public activities and keep vigil on any attempt.