KARACHI: Several routes in the city, including the M.A. Jinnah Road, were closed for traffic as the main Youm-i-Ali procession set off from Nishtar Park on Wednesday.
Strict security arrangements are in place as the country observes Youm-i-Ali to mark the martyrdom day of Hazrat Ali.
As per a press release issued by the Karachi Traffic Police (KTP), the main procession will conclude at Imambargah Hussainia Iranian in Kharadar after passing through its dedicated route.
“Due to security reasons, M.A. Jinnah Road from Gurumandir to Tower and from Saddar Dawakhana, Empress Market to Regal Chowk will remain closed,” it added.
In an update at 11:34am, the KTP said both sides of the M.A. Jinnah Road between Numaish and Tower were closed for traffic due to the main procession’s route.
It further said that all turns and roads from Empress Market towards Regal Chowk were also shut for traffic.
According to the press release, in District Central, citizens coming from Nazimabad could proceed to their destination by taking Nishtar Road after turning right from Lasbela Chowk.
Those coming from Liaquatabad could go from Teen Hatti to Gurumandir and turn right towards Lasbela Chowk, or they could turn left from Teen Hatti towards Central Jail (Martin Road).
Vehicles heading to PP Chowrangi from Hassan Square could go from New Town to Kashmir Road, Society Light Signal (Shahrah-i-Quaideen) or could head to Nishtar Road by taking the Jail Flyover from Teen Hatti.
For District East, the KTP suggested commuters going from Sharea Faisal to Numaaish to turn right at the Society Light Signal towards Kashmir Road and use the Jail Flyover.
Vehicles heading from Central Jail on Jamshed Road towards M.A. Jinnah Road were told to take the route from “Gurumandir towards Bahaduryar Jang Road Soldier Bazaar, Holy Family Hospital, Coast Guard”.
For District South, the traffic police advised the public heading from Mangophir Road to M.A. Jinnah Road to take Nishtar Road from Garden near the zoo.
Those coming from Aga Khan Road could turn right from Anklesaria Hospital towards Gul Plaza and Aurangzeb Market, or could turn left and take the Holy Family Hospital route, the press release said.
Commercial traffic heading to M.A. Jinnah Road from Super Highway, Gulberg, Liaquatabad was being diverted from Liaquatabad No. 10 to Nazimabad Chowrangi No. 2 so the Habib Bank Flyover route could be used as an alternative.
A total of 22,304 police personnel will be deployed in different ranges, including 7,908 in Karachi and 2,317 in Hyderabad, a meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah was told on Tuesday.
Police were to utilise 750 mobile vans and 764 motorcycles for patrolling and rapid response.
M.T. Khan Road closed for ‘security reasons’
Meanwhile, the authorities have also closed both sides of the M.T. Khan Road for traffic due to security reasons.
Vehicles coming from PIDC Chowk were being rerouted to Khajoor Chowk, while those from Mai Kolachi were being told to take a U-turn. Traffic coming from Jinnah Bridge was being diverted towards I.I. Chundrigar Road.
Access to M.T. Khan Road has been restricted since the March 1 incident at the US Consulate in which 11 people died.
On Monday, the US Embassy in Islamabad said it was restricting the movement of all US personnel in view of planned large-scale religious processions across the country.
More to follow
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