Traffic diversion plan for Chehlum procession announced

The Karachi Traffic police on Saturday issued a traffic diversion plan for the main Chehlum procession to be taken out on Monday.

Officials said the main procession will depart from Nishtar Park and pass through its traditional designated routes and end at Hussainian Iranian Imambargah. MA Jinnah Road will remain closed from Gurumandir to Tower due to security reasons.

In District Central, people coming from Nazimabad can go to their destination from Lasbela Chowk to Nishtar Road via Garden, while people coming from Liaquatabad can take a turn from Teen Hati to Lasbela Chowk and to the left and go towards Central Jail (Martin Road).

Moreover, people going from Hassan Square to PP Chowrangi can go from Kashmir Road to Society Light Signal (Sharea Quaideen) and from Jail Chowrangi Flyover to Teen Hati to Nishtar Road (Lasbela Chowk).

In District East, people going to the Naumaish from Sharea Faisal to Sharea Quaideen (Noorani Kebab) can go to their destination from Kashmir Road on the right side of Society Light Signal and people going from Central Jail gate (Jamshed Road) towards Gurumandir on MA Jinnah Road can go towards their destination from Gurumandir to Bahadur Yar Jung Road, Soldier Bazaar.

In District South,

Commuters going from Garden Zoo to MA Jinnah Road can go from Ankle Saria to Gul Plaza on the right and the coast guards, Holy Family Hospital, on the left to their destinations.

All heavy and commercial traffic going from the Super Highway, Gulberg to MA Jinnah Road will be diverted from Liaquatabad No. 10 to Nazimabad Chowrangi No. 2 via Habib Bank Flyover, State Avenue Road, Shershah to Mauripur.

Moreover, all the heavy and the commercial traffic going towards the City via the National Highway, whether via Sharea Faisal or Rashid Minhas Road, Stadium Road, Sir Shah Suleman Road, Hassan Square, Liaquatabad No. 10, Nazimabad Chowrangi No. 2, Habib Bank Flyover, State Avenue Road, Shershah to Mauripur will be allowed.

All types of traffic, small or large, will not be allowed on the procession route beyond Gurumandir Chowk and this traffic will be diverted towards Bahadur Yar Jung Road, Soldier Bazaar. The entry of all types of vehicles is prohibited on MA Jinnah Road except those whose windscreen has a sticker to join the procession. The vehicles with stickers will be allowed to enter the procession through Sharea Quaideen’s Society Light Signal.

No vehicle will be allowed to park on the procession route.

On Friday, Sindh police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon had said that additional forces have been provided to all districts regarding foolproof security arrangements on the occasion of Chehlum.

All officers have been instructed to keep their respective staff alert at all times, he said while chairing a meeting held at the Central Police Office to review security arrangements for Hazrat Imam Hussain’s Chehlum processions, steps taken against drug peddlers, and progress in ongoing investigations in registered cases.

He directed that in order to make intelligence information effective and coordinated in the relevant districts and areas, contacts with the Special Branch should be strengthened while the process of keeping a close watch on suspicious vehicles, movements and activities should be ensured.

Officials said IGP Memon also reviewed committee matters regarding the appointment and posting of investigating officers, use of the police station budget, and action against those who cheated for jobs in the recruitment process in the Sindh Police. The details presented regarding the arrests of the accused involved in police killings and kidnappings for ransom were reviewed separately and necessary instructions were given.

The IGP asked the officers present in the meeting to prepare a list of classifications of drug peddlers in the respective districts so that strict measures and crackdowns against drug peddlers, their operatives and groups could be made successful. He said the use of drugs not only affected the environment but also led to intensification in the behaviour and modus operandi of criminals, so “we as a team have to ensure its elimination”.

He said that responsibilities should be assigned to the best, experienced and well-mannered officers at the level of police stations so that the public’s trust in the police could be unwavering.