The Chehlum ends the 40-day mourning period commemorating the martyrdom of Imam Husain in the battle of Karbala.

The Chehlum of Imam Husain and his companions was observed across Pakistan on Tuesday with due reverence and solemnity to mark the supreme sacrifices of the martyrs of Karbala in 680 AD.

Processions of zuljanah and tazias were taken out in various major cities with hundreds of mourners accompanying them and reciting nohas.

In Karachi, the main procession culminated peacefully at Husainian Iranian Imambargah Kharadar after passing through its traditional thoroughfares.

Special arrangements were made in the city regarding civic facilities and security by law enforcement and local administration.

These included cleanliness on the route of the main mourning procession, repair of roads, rectification of the sewerage system and lighting arrangements to facilitate the participants.

Strict security measures were made to prevent any untoward incident as Police, Rangers and gents scouts were deployed along the route of the procession.

Sabeels (stalls for refreshment drinks) were set up as per years old tradition.

The Karachi Traffic Police made an alternative route plan for the public to ensure smooth flow of traffic on roads of the city.

All the small roads and lanes leading to the route of main Chehlum procession were closed with the help of containers and buses to stop unwanted entry.

In the federal capital and adjoining Rawalpindi, according to a police official, 14,000 policemen, 10 companies of Pakistan Army and four companies of Rangers performed their duties on the occasion.

Mobile services were also suspended along the routes of processions taken out in various cities, owing to security concerns.

Devotees take part in a religious procession to mark "Arba'een" in Karachi on October 30, 2018. —AFP

Pakistani police commandos stand guard along a street. —AFP

Hundreds of devotees seen participating in the main religious procession in Karachi. —AFP

Participants of the main procession in Lahore. —AFP

Devotees offering noon prayers in Karachi. —AFP

Police commandos patrol along a Karachi street. —AFP

Women participating in Rawalpindi's procession. —AP

Devotees touching the Zuljanah as the procession passes through Taili Mohalla in Rawalpindi. —APP

Devotees marching through small roads and lanes before merging with the main Rawalpindi procession. —APP

Mourners receive free food and drinks at sabeel stalls. —AP

A young girl touching the alam in the procession taken out in Karachi. —APP

Female participants of the procession taken out in Lahore. —AFP

Roads leading to the route of the main procession have been closed with containers for security reasons in Rawalpindi. —APP