ISLAMABAD: Thousands of Shia Muslims have rallied across various parts of Pakistan ahead of tomorrow's religious festival of Ashura, or "Day of Remembrance".

The holiest day on the Shia Muslim calendar is observed each year on the 10^th day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic year, to mourn the 7th century death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Islam's Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

At Saturday's rally in Islamabad thousands of Shia Muslims were seen beating their chests with their hands and flagellating themselves with knives attached to chains.

Authorities have stepped up security across the country following intelligence reports that militants could target Shia Muslims this week. — AP