With Ashura to be observed across the country today and tomorrow, the authorities have revealed traffic plans across different cities and have also announced the suspension of mobile phone services in different cities.
Lahore
The main procession in Lahore will start from Nisar Haveli and conclude at Karbela Gamey Shah. Traffic will be diverted to alternative routes from different points. All relevant staff will be deputed on roads to facilitate the general public and no vehicle would be allowed to enter the procession route from adjoining roads. Security personnel will be deployed along the procession routes.
Participants can park their cars and motorcycles at Nasir Bagh, Mochi Gate Bagh, Data Darbar Eye Hospital, Central Model High School and Bengali Park. Further, special parking lots have been arranged at several different points for participants.
Islamabad
Telecom operators have been directed to suspend their services in specific areas of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.
In a tweet, deputy commissioner Muhammad Hamza Shafqaat said that mobile phone services would be closed during main procession in sectors G-9, G-10 on 8th Muharram.
On 9th Muharram, the procession will be commence and end at Markazi Imambargah G-6/2. During the procession, Fazle Haq Road and roads from Poly Clinic to Kalsoom Plaza will remain closed.
Another procession on 9th Muharram will start from Imam Bargah Musa Kazim in sector I-10/1. Various roads including I-10 Markaz, CDA Chowk #1, Katarian bridge, IJP Road (Pirwdhai and Faizabad area) will remain closed for traffic while citizens are advised to use IJP road if they want to go to I-10 (Sabzi Mandi) from Faizabad, Murree Road, Bhara Kau or Khana bridge.
On 10th Muharram, the main procession will start from Imambargah Qasar-e-Zina (G-6/4) at 4 am to culminate at Imam Bargah G-6/2.
The second procession on 10th Muharram will start from Shrine Sakhi Shah Muzammil Bheka Syedan at 2 pm. Its route includes F-11/2-3 Signal Double Road, Naval Colony Hilal Road, Beaconhouse near Haidri Chowk and Telenor Plaza which will remain closed for traffic.
Karachi
Cellular and internet services will remain partially suspended on 9th Muharram in Sindh, including Karachi, Hyderabad and Benazirabad, especially along the routes of the processions.
The spokesman for the Traffic Police said that on 9th and 10th Muharram, processions will begin at Nishtar Park and will terminate at lmam Bargah Hussanian Iranian, Kharadar. MA Jinnah Road has been sealed with containers and other barriers and would remain unavailable for routine traffic on 9th and 10th Muharram.
On 9th and 10th Muharram, the procession route will be Nishter Park, Sir Shah Nawaz Bhutto Road, Father Jaminis Road, Mehfil-e-Shah e Khurasan, Karachi X-Ray, Nawa-e-Waqt, Peoples Chowrangi, New MA Jinnah Road, Corridor-III, Saddar Dawa Khana, Preedy Street, Tibet Chowk, MA Jinnah Road, Boltan Market, Bombay Bazaar, Kharadar, Nawab Mahabat Khanji Road to Hussainian Iranian Imambargah.
