Karachi police have finalized the traffic management plan for the upcoming Chehlum of Imam Hussain (RA), mandating major road closures across the city’s central district to secure mourning processions.
Commuters should brace for significant delays as authorities begin blocking key arteries leading toward Numaish Chowrangi and M.A. Jinnah Road starting early tomorrow morning.
The primary route for the main procession—stretching from Nishtar Park to Hussainian Iranian Imambargah in Kharadar—will be completely sealed. Traffic police have confirmed that all public and private vehicles entering the city center will be diverted to alternate routes, primarily via Soldier Bazaar, Lasbela, and Shahrah-e-Liaquat.
“Our priority is the safety of the mourners,” a senior traffic official said. “We’ve deployed extra personnel to ensure diversions are managed, but motorists should expect heavy congestion in the surrounding neighborhoods.”
Heavy traffic, including commercial trucks and tankers, will be barred from entering the downtown area entirely. Officials have advised heavy transport operators to utilize the Lyari Expressway or the Northern Bypass to avoid getting trapped in the inner-city gridlock.
Public transport operators are also adjusting their services. Many bus routes originating from suburban areas will terminate at designated points outside the red zone, forcing passengers to cover the final stretch on foot.
Access to the procession route will be strictly regulated. Residents living within the security perimeter will need to carry original CNICs to pass through police checkpoints.
Expect the closures to remain in effect until the final procession reaches its destination in Kharadar. If you don’t have essential business in the city center, stay home — the congestion will likely spill over into secondary roads for most of the day.
