Authorities in major cities have finalised security and traffic arrangements for Eid Miladun Nabi processions, with thousands of police personnel deployed and traffic diversions planned to facilitate the movement of citizens.
In Karachi, 4,208 police personnel have been deployed to provide security for religious processions and gatherings, according to an official police statement. Of these, 1,702 have been deployed in the South Zone and 765 in the East Zone.
For the main 12th Rabiul Awwal procession at Nishtar Park, 397 officers and personnel have been assigned security duties, while another 362 have been deployed at the park’s entry points.
Karachi Additional Inspector General Azad Khan has directed police officials to remain on high alert along all procession routes. Traffic police have also been instructed to ensure the smooth movement of vehicles and monitor the security situation through CCTV cameras.
Traffic police said three major processions would be taken out in Karachi after 2pm.
The first procession will leave Shaheed Masjid in Kharadar at 2:30pm, pass through Memon Masjid and end at Gulzar-i-Habib Mosque at Asr prayers. The second will depart from Memon Masjid at 2:30pm and conclude at Aram Bagh Masjid at the same time.
The main procession will leave Memon Masjid after 3pm and is expected to reach Nishtar Park by around 6pm.
Under the traffic plan, commuters travelling from Nazimabad can use Nishtar Road via Lasbela Chowk towards Garden, while motorists from Liaquatabad can turn left at Teen Hatti and proceed towards Central Jail through Martin Road.
Traffic from Hassan Square towards PIB Colony can use Kashmir Road to reach Society Light Signal on Shahrah-i-Quaideen. Vehicles travelling from Jail Flyover towards Teen Hatti can use Nishtar Road via Lasbela Chowk.
Traffic movement from Governor House towards Numaish will remain restricted.
Motorists travelling from Sharea Faisal via Shahrah-i-Quaideen towards Numaish can turn right at Society Light Signal onto Kashmir Road.
Vehicles travelling from Central Jail Gate on Jamshed Road through Guru Mandir towards M.A. Jinnah Road can use the Guru Mandir Bypass and Soldier Bazar.
Traffic approaching M.A. Jinnah Road from Garden Chowrangi can turn right near Anklesaria Hospital towards Gul Plaza or use the Coast Guard/Holy Family Hospital route.
Traffic from Lucky Star heading towards M.A. Jinnah Road and Empress Market will be diverted from Saddar Dawakhana towards PP Chowrangi. Vehicles bound for Preedy Road will be diverted from Abdullah Haroon Road towards M.A. Jinnah Chowk.
Traffic will not be permitted from M.A. Jinnah Chowk towards Court Road and will instead be diverted through Strachan Road towards Pakistan Chowk.
Vehicles travelling from Shahrah-i-Liaquat towards Preedy Road will be diverted at Aram Bagh Light Signal towards Pakistan Chowk.
In Rawalpindi, more than 910 traffic police personnel have been deployed to manage traffic during Eid Miladun Nabi processions.
According to traffic police, 120 processions will be held across the city, including two categorised as A, 10 as B and 108 as C.
Murree Road will remain closed in both directions during the processions. Traffic travelling between Rawalpindi and Islamabad will be diverted through alternative routes, while vehicles from Liaquat Bagh heading towards Fawara Chowk will be diverted from DAV College towards Gawalmandi.
For the procession starting from Chungi No. 22, traffic from Kalma Chowk will be diverted towards Harley Street. The procession will pass through several areas before ending at GTS Chowk.
Traffic heading towards Khattak Chowk, CMH and Tench will also be diverted towards Harley Street. Once the procession reaches Mall Road, traffic from Peshawar Road will be diverted at Qasim Market towards Sher Khan Road.
Vehicles travelling from Kutchery Chowk towards Peshawar Road will be diverted from TM Chowk towards Murree Road.
Tractor trolleys, trailers and trucks will not be allowed on procession routes, while parking will be prohibited within 300 yards of the stage.
A dedicated traffic plan has also been prepared to ensure the movement of ambulances, fire engines and other emergency vehicles.
Chief Traffic Officer Farhan Aslam advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel on procession routes and said traffic would be diverted from highways where processions are being held.
In Peshawar, the main Eid Miladun Nabi procession will be organised by Idara Tableeghul Islam.
The procession will begin after Isha prayers from Milad Chowk and follow its traditional route before ending at Qissa Khwani Bazaar, where the main Mehfil-i-Milad will be held.
Several smaller processions will also be taken out from Sikandar Pura, Qissa Khwani, Saddar, Kohati, Gulbahar and other parts of the city.
According to the traffic plan, four superintendents of police, 12 DSPs and around 600 police personnel and traffic wardens have been deployed across Peshawar.
Citizens can obtain traffic updates through the traffic police helpline 1915.
In Lahore, traffic police have deployed 16 DSPs, 45 sector in-charges and more than 1,400 wardens and patrolling officers to manage traffic during the Eid Miladun Nabi celebrations.
Two major processions will be held in the city, with traffic officials implementing special arrangements to regulate vehicular movement along the procession routes.
