On 6 October 2020, the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi issued a Security Alert, which reads in part as follows:

“Location: Karachi, Sindh

“Event: The U.S. Consulate General advises U.S. citizens that on Thursday, October 8, Shia Muslims will observe Chehlum which includes numerous processions. The largest procession is expected to involve 15,000 to 20,000 participants. We also expect about 100 smaller processions and 460 majalis (gatherings) throughout Karachi. In past years, these processions and gatherings have been targets of sectarian violence. It is likely that the government will impose additional temporary security measures on October 8, including the suspension of cell phone service in parts of the city. U.S. government personnel have been instructed to limit all travel to mission-critical activities during the times of the processions.”