KARACHI: Karachi Traffic Police has issued a comprehensive traffic management plan for the 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal processions, announcing a series of road closures, traffic diversions and special arrangements to facilitate the movement of processions and minimize inconvenience for commuters.
According to the traffic plan, the arrangements have been made for the Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) processions being held in different parts of the city. Traffic police officials, including SSPs Traffic, will supervise traffic arrangements in their respective areas to ensure the smooth flow of traffic and maintain public safety.
Two major processions will depart from Memon Masjid in the afternoon. The first procession, led by Maulana Akbar Dars, will leave Memon Masjid at around 2:30pm and conclude at Aram Bagh Masjid.
The central procession, under the leadership of Maulana Shah Abdul Haq Qadri, will depart from Memon Masjid at 3:00pm and culminate at Nishtar Park.
During the main procession, M.A. Jinnah Road will remain restricted for regular traffic. Only vehicles officially associated with the processions and carrying the required stickers on their windscreens will be permitted to enter the restricted route.
Alternative routes
For commuters travelling from Nazimabad, traffic will be directed through Lasbela Chowk, Nishtar Road and the Garden area. Those travelling from Liaquatabad can use Teen Hatti Road, proceed towards Lasbela Chowk and then turn towards Central Jail/Martin Road.
Motorists travelling from Hassan Square towards Peoples Chowrangi have been advised to use Kashmir Road, Society Light Signal on Shahrah-e-Quaideen, Jail Road Flyover, Teen Hatti and Nishtar Road via Lasbela Chowk.
Traffic will not be allowed between Guru Mandir and Old Numaish, and motorists have been advised to use alternative routes.
In District East, motorists travelling from Shahrah-e-Faisal towards Shahrah-e-Quaideen and Old Numaish will be diverted through Society Light Signal and Kashmir Road. Traffic travelling from the Jamshed Road/Central Jail Gate side towards Guru Mandir and M.A. Jinnah Road will be directed through Bahadur Yar Jang Road and Soldier Bazaar.
In District South, traffic travelling from Garden/Zoo towards M.A. Jinnah Road will be diverted through routes near Anklesaria Hospital and Makki Masjid, with motorists able to proceed towards Gul Plaza or the Coast Guard/Holy Family Hospital side.
Traffic travelling from Lucky Star towards M.A. Jinnah Road through Empress Market will be diverted from Saddar Dawakhana towards Peoples Chowrangi. Vehicles heading towards Burns Road will be diverted via Abdullah Haroon Road towards M.R. Kiyani Chowk.
Traffic will also be restricted between M.R. Kiyani Chowk and Court Road/Kabootar Chowrangi. Vehicles will instead be diverted from Arts Council and Strachan Road towards Pakistan Chowk.
Similarly, traffic travelling from Shahrah-e-Liaquat towards Burns Road will be diverted from Aram Bagh Signal towards Pakistan Chowk.
Heavy and commercial traffic ban
Karachi Traffic Police has also announced restrictions on the movement of heavy and commercial vehicles in the city in connection with the 12th Rabi-ul-Awwal arrangements.
Citizens have been advised to avoid the procession routes and plan their journeys in advance by using the designated alternative routes.
The traffic police also requested motorists not to park their vehicles along procession routes, as parking restrictions will remain in place to ensure the safe and uninterrupted movement of the processions.
The public has further been urged to cooperate with traffic police personnel and follow instructions at diversion points to avoid unnecessary congestion and delays.
For assistance and traffic-related guidance, citizens can contact the Karachi Traffic Police helpline at 1915, while updates are also available through the traffic police’s official communication channels and FM 88.6.
