KARACHI: Several city routes, including MA Jinnah Road, were closed to traffic as the main Youm-i-Ali procession left Nishtar Park on Wednesday.
Strict security measures have been put in place as the country celebrates Youm-i-Ali to commemorate the martyrdom day of Hazrat Ali.
According to a press release issued by Karachi Traffic Police (KTP), the main procession will conclude at Iranian Imambalgah Hussainia in Kharadar after passing through its dedicated route.
“For security reasons, MA Jinnah Road from Gurumandir to Tower and from Saddar Dawakhana, Empress Market to Regal Chowk will remain closed,” he added.
In an update at 11:34 am, the KTP said both sides of the MA Jinnah road between Numaish and Tower were closed to traffic due to the main route of the procession.
He further said that all bends and roads from Empress Market towards Regal Chowk were also closed for traffic.
According to the press release, in the Central District, citizens coming from Nazimabad can reach their destination by taking Nishtar Road after turning right from Lasbela Chowk.
Those coming from Liaquatabad can go from Teen Hatti to Gurumandir and turn right towards Lasbela Chowk, or they can turn left from Teen Hatti towards Central Jail (Martin Road).
Vehicles heading to PP Chowrangi from Hassan Square could go from New Town to Kashmir Road, Society Light Signal (Shahrah-i-Quaideen) or could go to Nishtar Road by taking the jail flyover from Teen Hatti.
For the Eastern District, the KTP suggested commuters going from Sharea Faisal to Numaaish turn right at Society Light Signal towards Kashmir Road and use the jail flyover.
Vehicles heading from Central Jail on Jamshed Road towards MA Jinnah Road were told to take the route from “Gurumandir towards Bahaduryar Jang Road, Soldiers’ Bazaar, Holy Family Hospital and Coast Guard”.
For South District, the traffic police advised the public to proceed from Mangophir Road to MA Jinnah Road to take Nishtar Road from Garden near the zoo.
Those coming from Aga Khan Road can turn right from Anklesaria Hospital towards Gul Plaza and Aurangzeb Market, or they can turn left and take the Holy Family Hospital route, according to the press release.
Commercial traffic heading towards MA Jinnah Road from Super Highway, Gulberg, Liaquatabad was being diverted from Liaquatabad No. 10 to Nazimabad Chowrangi No. 2 so that the Habib Bank elevated route could be used as an alternative.
Security measures
A statement issued by the East Zone police said the main procession had started from Nishtar Park, with Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Dr Farrukh Ali and other senior officers present leading the gathering.
A strict surveillance and control system was established on the entry and exit routes of the procession and meetings through gates, metal detectors and closed circuit television cameras.
“Reserve personnel are on standby to deal with any emergency, while a special control room has also been established for immediate communication,” the police statement said.
DIG Ali, who earlier reviewed the security arrangements around Nishtar Park and the procession routes, had been briefed by Superintendent of Police (SP) Jamshed Division about the measures.
A total of 22,304 police personnel would be deployed in different areas, including 7,908 in Karachi and 2,317 in Hyderabad, a meeting chaired by Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah was informed on Tuesday.
Police were to use 750 mobile vans and 764 motorcycles to patrol and respond quickly.
In his statement, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar ordered that “extraordinary security” be implemented at imambargahs and mosques as well as other religious gatherings planned for the coming days of Ramadan.
“Along with picketing, the random control and monitoring process must be effective and coordinated at all levels,” he said.
He further said that police deployment in bazaars, markets and shopping malls should be “extremely alert and active”.
MT Khan Road closed for ‘security reasons’
Meanwhile, authorities have also closed both sides of MT Khan Road to traffic for safety reasons.
Vehicles coming from PIDC Chowk were being diverted to Khajoor Chowk, while those from Mai Kolachi were being told to make a U-turn. Traffic coming from Jinnah Bridge was being diverted towards II Chundrigar Road.
Access to MT Khan Road has been restricted since the March 1 incident at the US consulate in which 11 people died.
On Monday, the US embassy in Islamabad said it was restricting the movement of all US personnel in view of large-scale religious processions planned across the country.
holiday on friday
Separately, Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah announced a province-wide holiday on Friday (March 13) on the occasion of Youm Al Quds.
Several demonstrations and processions are expected to take place that day.
In a video statement, the minister said a road in Karachi will be named after Iran’s former supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed in attacks between the United States and Israel on February 28.
Shah further said that no demonstrations would be allowed at Sharea Faisal on Jumatul Wida (Friday) in light of the court orders.
More to follow
Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1980897/strict-security-in-place-in-karachi-for-youm-i-ali