Elaborate security and road traffic arrangements were made by authorities across the country for rallies in connection with the 12th Rabiul Awwal on Wednesday.
Karachi
In Karachi, 4,208 policemen were deployed to secure religious rallies and gatherings in the metropolis, of whom 1,702 were stationed in South Zone and 765 in East Zone, according to an official statement by police.
Police said 397 officers and personnel had been deployed for the security of the main 12th Rabiul Awwal procession at Nishtar Park, and 362 more had been stationed at the entry points of the park.
Karachi Additional Inspector General Azad Khan, the metropolis’s police chief, had directed law enforcers to remain on high alert on routes of all processions, and traffic police had been instructed to ensure smooth flow of traffic, the statement said.
He also issued directions for the effective monitoring of the security situation through CCTV cameras.
Meanwhile, the city’s traffic police said three main processions were planned in the city.
The first procession was scheduled to depart from Shaheed Masjid in Kharadar at 2:30pm, pass through Memon Masjid and conclude at Gulzar-i-Habib Mosque at the time of Asr prayers. The second was scheduled to depart from Memon Masjid at 2:30pm and conclude at Aram Bagh Masjid at the time of Asr prayers.
The main procession was to depart from Memon Masjid after 3pm and conclude at Nishtar Park at around 6pm.
Map of procession routes in Karachi — Traffic Police
According to the traffic plan for the day, commuters travelling from Nazimabad were directed from Lasbela Chowk via Nishtar Road towards Garden. Those coming from Liaquatabad were advised to turn left at Teen Hatti and proceed towards Central Jail (Martin Road).
Commuters travelling from Hassan Square towards PIB Colony used Kashmir Road to reach Society Light Signal (Shahrah-i-Quaideen). Those travelling from the Jail Flyover towards Teen Hatti took Nishtar Road via Lasbela Chowk.
No traffic was allowed to travel from the Governor House towards Numaish.
Commuters travelling from Sharea Faisal via Shahrah-i-Quaideen (Noorani Kabab) towards Numaish turned right at Society Light Signal onto Kashmir Road to reach their destinations.
Those travelling from Central Jail Gate (Jamshed Road) via Gurumandir towards M.A. Jinnah Road used Gurumandir Bypass Road and Soldier Bazar.
Commuters travelling from Garden Chowrangi towards M.A. Jinnah Road turned right at Anklesaria Hospital towards Gul Plaza, or turned left at Coast Guard/Holy Family Hospital to reach their destinations.
Traffic coming from Lucky Star towards M.A. Jinnah Road and Empress Market was diverted from Saddar Dawakhana towards PP Chowrangi. Similarly, traffic heading towards Preedy Road was diverted from Abdullah Haroon Road towards M.A. Jinnah Chowk, from where it could proceed towards its destination.
Traffic was not allowed to travel from M.A. Jinnah Chowk towards Court Road (Kabootar Chowk). All traffic was to be diverted via Strachan Road towards Pakistan Chowk.
Traffic heading from Shahrah-i-Liaquat towards Preedy Road was diverted from Aram Bagh Light Signal towards Pakistan Chowk, from where it could proceed to its destination.
Rawalpindi
In Rawalpindi, more than 910 traffic police personnel were deployed to regulate traffic during the processions.
A total of 120 processions were taken out across the city, including two categorised as A, 10 as B and 108 as C, according to the traffic police.
Murree Road was closed in both directions during the processions. Traffic travelling from Rawalpindi to Islamabad were diverted via Tipu Road towards Liaquat Bagh Chowk while vehicles coming from Islamabad were diverted from the Rawal Road turn towards Rawal Road.
Traffic travelling from Liaquat Bagh to Fawara Chowk were diverted from DAV College towards Gawalmandi.
For the second procession, which started from Chungi No. 22, traffic coming from Kalma Chowk was diverted towards Harley Street. The procession passed through Tench Road, Dhoke Syedan Chowk, Kalma Chowk, No. 22 Chowk, Adiala Road, State Life Building turn, MH Chowk, Mahfuz Chowk, Mansehra Adda, Thana Cantt, Nishtar Street, Adamji Road, Mithu Khan Complex, Railway Road, Military Accounts and Kamran Market to conclude at GTS Chowk.
Traffic heading towards Khattak Chowk, CMH and Tench was diverted towards Harley Street during the procession. When the procession reached Mall Road, traffic coming from Peshawar Road was diverted from Qasim Market towards Sher Khan Road, the traffic police said.
Traffic travelling from Kutchery Chowk towards Peshawar Road was diverted from TM Chowk to Murree Road. Tractor trolleys, trailers and trucks were not allowed to enter the procession routes.
No parking was allowed within 300 yards of the stage.
A special traffic plan had also been prepared to facilitate ambulances, fire engines and other emergency vehicles.
Traffic was diverted from highways where processions were held, while citizens had been advised to avoid unnecessary travel on procession routes, Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Farhan Aslam said.
Peshawar
The main procession in Peshawar was held under the banner of Idara Tableeghul Islam.
It started after Isha (night) prayers from Milad Chowk in the city and, after passing through its traditional routes, culminated at Qissa Khwani Bazaar where the main Mehfil-i-Milad was held.
Several small processions were also taken out from Sikandar Pura, Qissa Khwani, Saddar, Kohati, Gulbahar and other areas.
According to the plan prepared by the city’s traffic police, four superintendents of police, 12 deputy superintendents of police (DSP) and 600 personnel and wardens were deployed across the city.
Citizens also got traffic updates via helpline 1915.
Lahore
According to Lahore traffic police, 16 DSPs, 45 sector in-charges and over 1,400 wardens and patrolling officers were deployed in the city, where two main processions were taken out.
In addition, 172 rallies and 125 Milad gatherings were organised, the traffic police posted on X.
Overall in Punjab, 8,000 traffic police officers and personnel were deployed across the province, according to a statement by the Punjab traffic police.
It said 1,436 Miladun Nabi gatherings and 2,479 processions had been planned across the province, while 216 processions and 111 Milad gatherings would be held in Lahore.
The Punjab Police deployed 55,000 personnel for about 4,500 gatherings and processions across the province for Eid Miladun Nabi.
Punjab Inspector General of Police (IGP) Abdul Kareem said that the Counter-Terrorism Department would also monitor the main gatherings other than the field police officers, including regional and district police officers, across the province.
He said that security would remain on high alert during the Eid Miladun Nabi programmes.
