Chehlum processions taken out in Sindh cities, towns.

HYDERABAD -- Chehlum processions were taken out in all Sindh towns to commemorate the 40th day after Karbala martyrdoms passed through their traditional routes amid tight security on Sunday and ended peacefully.

In Hyderabad, central procession was taken out by Anjuman Imamiya Sindh from Qadam Gah Maula Ali amid strict security arrangements. All connecting streets, 56 in all, were sealed completely and policemen were deployed along the route. Rangers personnel also performed duties during the day.

After emerging from Qadam Gah the procession reached Station Road before entering Khokhar Mohallah and then taking Lajpat Road, Saddar Bazaar and Mohammad Ali Johar road it entered Karbala Dadan Shah. Zuljinah and replicas of coffins were parts of the procession.

The mourners were allowed to join the procession only through specific points which also led to exchange of hot words between the mourners and policemen. Many small processions joined the procession en route.

The entire route right from Qadam Gah to Dadan Shah remained completely closed for general public and vehicular traffic till the procession ended around Maghrib prayers.

The route also remained closed for traffic due to annual ritual of women called 'pallay bharaee' at the shrine of Sarfaraz Baba Kalhoro Shaheed located a few paces away from Karbala Dadan Shah.

Women from all parts of Sindh thronged the shrine to perform the ritual. It starts in the morning of Chehlum and continues till after sunset. Women visit the shrine with different prayers which they believe are answered. The road on Sarfaraz Incline remained closed and a large number of policemen were deployed outside the shrine to provide security.

In Sukkur, Chehlum processions were was taken out from central Imambargah which marched on Barrage Road, clock tower roundabout, Hussaini Road and others before returning to the starting point.

All the shops and markets on either side of the route were closed and link roads were sealed with tractor-trolleys and other vehicles. Nobody was also allowed to join the procession without complete body search.

In Jacobabad, the areas bordering with Balochistan were completely sealed and link roads and streets leading to the procession's route were closed with barbed wires. Police were not letting anybody join the procession without security clearance.

Many processions were taken out which later joined the main procession that started from Pir Bokhari and terminated at Karbala after passing...