KARACHI: Several major roads in Karachi will be closed on Wednesday as the main procession for the martyrdom day of Hazrat Ali (RA) takes place, starting from Nishtar Park.
According to the Karachi Traffic Police, the procession will begin at 1 pm from Nishtar Park and end at the Hussainia Iraniyan Imambargah in Kharadar after moving along its designated route.
Traffic officials said MA Jinnah Road from Guru Mandir to Tower and Saddar Road from Empress Market to Regal Chowk will remain closed because of security arrangements. Commuters have been advised to use alternative routes.
Motorists coming from Nazimabad can turn right at Lasbela Chowk and travel through Garden via Nishtar Road to reach their destinations. Those coming from Liaquatabad can head towards Lasbela Chowk from Teen Hatti or turn left towards Central Jail at Martin Road.
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Vehicles travelling from Hasan Square to PP Chowrangi can use Kashmir Road through New Town, Sharea Quaideen through Society Light Signal, or take the Jail Flyover towards Teen Hatti and Nishtar Road at Lasbela Chowk.
Commuters moving from Sharea Faisal towards Numaish through Sharea Quaideen have been advised to turn right from Society Light Signal towards Kashmir Road and the Jail Flyover.
Traffic coming from the Central Jail Gate on Jamshed Road towards MA Jinnah Road will be diverted via Bahadur Yar Jang Road, Soldier Bazaar, Holy Family Hospital, and the Coast Guard route. Vehicles coming from Manghopir Road and Pak Colony towards MA Jinnah Road can use Nishtar Road through Garden Zoo and Ranchore Line.
Traffic from Aga Khan III Road can head towards Gul Plaza and Aurangzeb Market through Uncle Saria Hospital, or take the Coast Guard and Holy Family Hospital route.
Traffic police also said commercial vehicles coming from Super Highway, Gulberg and Liaquatabad towards MA Jinnah Road will be diverted from Liaquatabad No.10 to Nazimabad Chowrangi No.2, and then routed through Habib Bank Flyover, State Avenue Road, Sher Shah and Mauripur. The same route will be used for vehicles returning from the area.
Similarly, commercial traffic entering the city from the National Highway will be directed through Sharea Faisal, Rashid Minhas Road, Stadium Road, Sir Shah Suleman Road, Hasan Square, Liaquatabad No.10 and Nazimabad Chowrangi No.2 before moving towards Habib Bank Flyover, State Avenue Road, Sher Shah and Mauripur.
No vehicles will be allowed beyond Guru Mandir Chowk on the procession route. Traffic will instead be diverted towards Bahadur Yar Jang Road, Soldier Bazaar and Lasbela Chowk.
Entry of vehicles on MA Jinnah Road will remain restricted except for those carrying official procession stickers on their windshields. Vehicles distributing sabeel, niyaz or tabarruk will only be allowed to enter the procession route from Tower. Parking along the procession route will also be strictly banned.