Authorities in Punjab have declared about sixteen places including Jhang, Multan, Faisalabad, Dera Ghazi Khan, Vehari, Khanewal and Bahawalpur as sensitive areas.
"Miscreants trying to disturb peace will be crushed with an iron hand," said the General Officer Commanding Major General Zahid Pervez while inspecting the troops deployed in the city
Video cameras were installed along the route of the processions, he added. Government had chalked out "a foolproof security plan to foil any nefarious designs of anti-social elements".
Police and commandos escorting the processions to ensure peace and security during Ashura, he said and urged religious leaders to maintain sectarian harmony.
Clashes involving Sunni and Shiite militants in Pakistan have claimed thousands of lives over the past several years.
District Nazim Riaz Hussain Qureshi said that law and order situation is well under control and policemen in plain clothes were keeping vigilant eyes on the activities of the suspects. While passengers, participants of Majalis-i-Aza and processions are also being searched with the help of organisers.