Security, traffic plans for Eid Miladun Nabi processions

Authorities have made elaborate security and road traffic arrangements across the country for rallies in connection with the 12th Rabiul Awwal on Wednesday.

Karachi

In Karachi, 4,208 policemen have been deployed to secure religious rallies and gatherings in the metropolis, of whom 1,702 have been stationed in South Zone and 765 in East Zone, according to an official statement by police.

Police said 397 officers and personnel had been deployed for the security of the main 12th Rabiul Awwal procession at Nishtar Park, and 362 more had been stationed at the entry points of the park.

Karachi Additional Inspector General Azad Khan, the metropolis’s police chief, had directed law enforcers to remain on high alert on routes of all processions, and traffic police had been instructed to ensure smooth flow of traffic, the statement said.

He also issued directions for the effective monitoring of the security situation through CCTV cameras.

Meanwhile, the city’s traffic police said three main processions would be taken out in the city after 2pm.

The first procession would depart from Shaheed Masjid in Kharadar at 2:30pm, pass through Memon Masjid and conclude at Gulzar-i-Habib Mosque at the time of Asr prayers. The second would depart from Memon Masjid at 2:30pm and conclude at Aram Bagh Masjid at the time of Asr prayers.

The main procession would depart from Memon Masjid after 3pm and conclude at Nishtar Park at around 6pm.

According to the traffic plan for the day, commuters travelling from Nazimabad can proceed towards their destinations from Lasbela Chowk via Nishtar Road towards Garden. Those coming from Liaquatabad can turn left at Teen Hatti and proceed towards Central Jail (Martin Road).

Commuters travelling from Hassan Square towards PIB Colony can use Kashmir Road to reach Society Light Signal (Shahrah-i-Quaideen). Those travelling from the Jail Flyover towards Teen Hatti can use Nishtar Road via Lasbela Chowk.

No traffic is allowed to travel from the Governor House towards Numaish.

Commuters travelling from Sharea Faisal via Shahrah-i-Quaideen (Noorani Kabab) towards Numaish can turn right at Society Light Signal onto Kashmir Road to reach their destinations.

Those travelling from Central Jail Gate (Jamshed Road) via Guru Mandir towards M.A. Jinnah Road can use Guru Mandir Bypass Road and Soldier Bazar.

Commuters travelling from Garden Chowrangi towards M.A. Jinnah Road can turn right at Anklesaria Hospital towards Gul Plaza, or turn left at Coast Guard/Holy Family Hospital to reach their destinations.

Traffic coming from Lucky Star towards M.A. Jinnah Road and Empress Market will be diverted from Saddar Dawakhana towards PP Chowrangi. Similarly, traffic heading towards Preedy Road will be diverted from Abdullah Haroon Road towards M.A. Jinnah Chowk, from where it can proceed towards its destination.

Traffic is not allowed to travel from M.A. Jinnah Chowk towards Court Road (Kabootar Chowk). All traffic is to be diverted via Strachan Road towards Pakistan Chowk.

Traffic heading from Shahrah-i-Liaquat towards Preedy Road will be diverted from Aram Bagh Light Signal towards Pakistan Chowk, from where it can proceed to its destination.

Rawalpindi

In Rawalpindi, more than 910 traffic police personnel have been deployed to regulate traffic during the processions.

A total of 120 processions will be taken out across the city, including two categorised as A, 10 as B and 108 as C, according to the traffic police.

Murree Road will remain closed in both directions during the processions. Traffic travelling from Rawalpindi to Islamabad will be diverted via Tipu Road towards Liaquat Bagh Chowk while vehicles coming from Islamabad will be diverted from the Rawal Road turn towards Rawal Road.

Traffic travelling from Liaquat Bagh to Fawara Chowk will be diverted from DAV College towards Gawalmandi.

For the second procession, which will start from Chungi No. 22, traffic coming from Kalma Chowk will be diverted towards Harley Street. The procession will pass through Tench Road, Dhoke Syedan Chowk, Kalma Chowk, No. 22 Chowk, Adiala Road, State Life Building turn, MH Chowk, Mahfuz Chowk, Mansehra Adda, Thana Cantt, Nishtar Street, Adamji Road, Mithu Khan Complex, Railway Road, Military Accounts and Kamran Market to conclude at GTS Chowk.

Traffic heading towards Khattak Chowk, CMH and Tench will be diverted towards Harley Street during the procession. When the procession reaches Mall Road, traffic coming from Peshawar Road will be diverted from Qasim Market towards Sher Khan Road, the traffic police said.

Traffic travelling from Kutchery Chowk towards Peshawar Road will be diverted from TM Chowk to Murree Road. Tractor trolleys, trailers and trucks will not be allowed to enter the procession routes.

No parking will be allowed within 300 yards of the stage.

A special traffic plan has also been prepared to facilitate ambulances, fire engines and other emergency vehicles.

Traffic will be diverted from highways where processions are held, while citizens have been advised to avoid unnecessary travel on procession routes, Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Farhan Aslam said.

Peshawar

The main procession in Peshawar will be held under the banner of Idara Tableeghul Islam.

It will start after Isha (night) prayers from Milad Chowk in the city and, after passing through its traditional routes, will culminate at Qissa Khwani Bazaar where the main Mehfil-i-Milad will be held.

Several small processions will also be taken out from Sikandar Pura, Qissa Khwani, Saddar, Kohati, Gulbahar and other areas.

According to the plan prepared by the city’s traffic police, four superintendents of police, 12 deputy superintendents of police and 600 personnel and wardens have been deployed across the city.

Citizens can also get traffic updates via helpline 1915.