Karachi:
Nearly 50,000 police personnel will be deployed for the security of Muharram processes in Sindh, said Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, who relates to a press conference on Thursday.
The tense geopolitical situation in the region worsened by cooperation with anti-State elements with the hostile neighbor options increased the security of the mass collections in Muharram.
Sharjeel assured that the Sindh government has made foolproof security arrangements for Muharram.
The most important thing was Ummah’s device to defeat the design of enemies in the country to use Muharram days to tab sectarian hatred and violence.
The senior minister declared that chief minister Murad Ali Shah held meetings with scholars from various thinking schools to ensure harmony and reviewed the security plan for gatherings and processions.
Sharjeel told the media that 14,546 police personnel would be deployed for gatherings and 35,116 to Muharram processes, with over 14,000 additional staff assigned to ensure security in all events.
He announced that a total of 49,662 police personnel will be deployed over Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Mirpurkhas and Shaheed Benazirabad from 8th to 10th by Muharram to prevent unfortunate incidents and maintain peace.
He emphasized that although the Sindh government is tolerating criticism, it will not give any opportunity to dictate its policies. He added that the government had also proposed the allocation of a large designated area for protests to ensure that public life remains unaffected.
Traffic plan for three days with Muharram
The traffic police have announced a special traffic plan for the 8th, 9th and 10th of Muharram. According to the plan, Ma Jinnah Road will remain closed from Guru Mandir to Tower in all three days due to security concerns. The most important Muharram processes begin from Nishtar Park and end at Hussainia Iranian Imambargah and pass through its designated routes. Vehicles that carry special stickers issued to the procession are allowed to participate.
According to the announced traffic plan for traffic, commuters from Nazimabad can travel through Lasbela Chowk via Nishtar Road and Garden. Those coming from Liaquatabad can turn right at Teen Hatti against Lasbela Chowk or left towards Central Prison and Martin Road.
Motorists who come from Hassan Square and on their way to PP Chowrangi can use Kashmir Road under prison flyover, Society Light Signal, Sharah-E-Quaide and Nishtar Road via Teen Hatti and Lasbela Chowk.
Commuters from Sharea Faisal against the Sharah-E-Quaiden and Noorani Kabab to Numaish can take a right turn against society’s traffic lights against Kashmir Road. Those who go towards Guru Mandir or Ma Jinnah Road via prison gate or Jamshed Road can take Bahadur Yar Jang Road and pass through Soldier Bazaar. Similarly, in the Garden Zoo on their way to Ma Jinnah Road, they will be redirected via Anklesaria to either Yellow Plaza or Coast Guard, near Holy Family Hospital.
All heavy and commercial vehicles from Super Highway or Gulberg against Ma Jinnah Road will be redirected from Liaquatabad No10 to Nazimabad Chowrangi No2 and then continue via Habib Bank Flyover, State Avenue Road and Shershah to Mauripur. The same route will apply for returns.
Heavy traffic coming from National Highway will take Sharea Faisal or Rashid Minhas Road, Stadium Road, Sir Shah Suleman Road, Hassan Square, Liaquatabad No10 and Nazimabad Chowrangi No2 against Mauripur and will follow the same route back.
The Traffic Police spokesman clarified that no small or large vehicles will be allowed beyond Guru Mandir Chowk on the processional route. All such traffic will be redirected to Bahadur Yar Jang Road and Soldier Bazaar. Vehicles with stickers have access from the Sharah-E-Quaide via Society Light Signal.
Participants arriving from Nazimabad can come in via Lasbela, al-Bela, Garden Jamaat Khana, Soldier Bazaar No3 Traffic Lights to Numaish. Those from Liaquatabad, Teen Hatti, Jehangir Road, Guru Mandir, Society Signal, Gulistan-E-Johar, Gulde-E-Iqbal, University Road, Old Sabzi Mandi, Kashmir Road can also through Numaish.
Vehicles distributing Niaz or TabarRUK only have access to the procession from Tower near Memon Masjid. No vehicle is allowed to park along the procession route.d
