KARACHI: Karachi and Rawalpindi traffic police have announced traffic diversions and security arrangements for Eid Miladun Nabi ﷺ processions scheduled for Wednesday, August 26.
Karachi Traffic Police said three major processions would be held in the city, with several major roads closed or diverted to manage traffic. Heavy and commercial vehicles will also be prohibited from operating in the city during the processions.
The first procession, led by Maulana Yaqoob Attari, will assemble at Shaheed-e-Millat Masjid and depart at 2:30pm. It will pass through Numaish Chowrangi and is expected to conclude around Asr prayers.
A second procession, led by Maulana Akbar Sadran, will leave Central Meethi Masjid at 2:30pm, pass through Aram Bagh and conclude around Asr.
The third procession, led by Maulana Shah Abdullah Qadri, will depart from Central Meethi Masjid at 3pm and proceed to Nishtar Park, where it is expected to conclude around 6pm. A Miladun Nabi ﷺ conference will also be held at Nishtar Park after the procession.
Traffic Police said commuters in the Central, East and South districts would be diverted through alternative routes during the processions.
Traffic heading towards the Guru Mandir route will not be permitted, while diversions will also be introduced around Garden, Liaquatabad, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Jamshed Road, MA Jinnah Road, Saddar and Pakistan Chowk.
MA Jinnah Road will remain closed in connection with the processions. Only vehicles carrying windscreen stickers confirming their participation in the processions will be allowed onto the designated route.
Citizens have been advised to use alternative routes before the processions to avoid delays. Traffic officers will be deployed at diversion points to guide motorists.
No parking will be allowed along the procession routes. Citizens can contact the Karachi Traffic Police helpline at 1915 for assistance, while updates will also be available through official social media channels and Sindh Police FM 88.6.
Rawalpindi Traffic Police has also issued a special traffic plan and said more than 910 personnel will be deployed to manage traffic during the processions.
Two main processions will be held in Rawalpindi. The first will depart from Jamia Masjid Hanfia on Jamia Masjid Road, while the second will begin from 22 Number Chungi.
The procession from Jamia Masjid Hanfia will pass through Pul Shah Nazar, Banni Chowk, Murree Road, Committee Chowk, Liaquat Road, Fawara Chowk and Dingi Khoi before concluding at the central camp at Jamia Masjid.
Murree Road will be completely closed in both directions during the procession. Traffic travelling from Rawalpindi towards Islamabad will be diverted from Liaquat Bagh Chowk towards Tipu Road, while traffic travelling from Islamabad towards Rawalpindi will be diverted towards Rawal Road.
Traffic travelling from Liaquat Bagh towards Fawara Chowk will be diverted from DAV College towards Gawalmandi.
The second procession will depart from 22 Number Chungi and pass through Tanch Road, Dhoke Syedan Chowk, Kalma Chowk, 22 Number Chowk, Adra Road, the State Life Building turn, MH Chowk, Mehfooz Chowk, Mansehra Adda, Cantt Police Station, Nishter Street, Adam Jee Road, Mithu Khan Ahata, Railway Road, Military Accounts and Kamran Market before concluding at GTS Chowk.
During the procession, traffic travelling from Kalma Chowk towards 22 Number Chowk will be diverted towards Harley Street. Traffic heading towards Khatak Chowk, CMH and Tanch will also be diverted towards Harley Street.
Once the procession reaches Mall Road, traffic coming from Peshawar Road will be diverted from Qasim Market towards Sher Khan Road. Traffic travelling from Kacheri Chowk towards Peshawar Road will be diverted from TM Chowk towards Murree Road.
Chief Traffic Officer Farhan Aslam said tractors, trailers and trucks would not be allowed to enter the procession routes. Parking will also be prohibited within a 300-yard radius of the stage.
He said special arrangements had been made to facilitate ambulances, fire engines and other emergency vehicles. Additional personnel would also be deployed along alternative routes to maintain traffic flow.
The CTO urged citizens to avoid unnecessary travel along the procession routes and use alternative roads where possible.
The federal government announced on August 21 that August 26 would be a public holiday across Pakistan for Eid Miladun Nabi ﷺ. The occasion, observed on 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal, is marked by religious gatherings, processions and special prayers.
