- Over 5,000 police personnel who are deployed to central procession.
- More than 1,000 staff who are deployed to maintain traffic flow.
- Stores on Ma Jinnah Road, Empress and Royal Markets Sealed.
Karachi: The Sindh government has introduced a ban on pillow riding as part of the measures taken to provide security to Muharram processes and activities in the metropolis.
Muharram is one of the four holy months in Islam. Its 10th day, known as Ashura, marks the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) with his family members in the Battle of Karbala.
All over the country, they hold faithful processions and Majalis under Muharram. Religious scholars provide sermons for large gatherings held under tight security.
In Karachi, more than 5,000 police personnel have been deployed for the central procession combined with 1,000 staff maintaining traffic flow, the government has also suspended cellular service along the procession’s route – which has begun from Nishtar Park.
Apart from sharp shooters deployed in high-rise buildings, combined with processional routes controlled via sniffer dogs, authorities also carry out monitoring via TV cameras with closed circuit (CCTV).
Also Ma Jinnah Road has been closed to traffic and markets and stores on Ma Jinnah Road, Saddar, Empress, Regal and Lighthouse Markets have been sealed and streets connecting to the procession routes have been blocked via containers.
Only vehicles with procession stickers are allowed to continue, and the like applies to vehicles coming from the Sharea Quaiten as they cannot go beyond the Khudadad Colony signal.
All forms of traffic are prohibited to go beyond horror mandir, and commuters are redirected from soldier bazaar towards the coastguard or Nishtar Road
In addition, traffic coming from Nazimabad is redirected from Lasbela Chowk towards Nishtar Road and Garden.
It points out that vehicles coming from Super Highway are redirected from Liaquatabad # 10 to Nazimabad Chowrangi # 2.
People traveling from Liaquatabad are directed at Teen Hatti, Martin Road and Jail Road.
According to Karachi Traffic Police’s redirection plan issued on Friday, commuters traveling from Hassan Square to PP Chowrangi, take Kashmir Road during prison flight, then go towards the Light Signal (Sharea Quaiden), or use the prison flight to reach Teen Hatti and Nishtar Road via Lasbela Chowk.
