Muharram processions: Here's what you need to know about Karachi's traffic plan

• MA Jinnah Road to remain closed from Guru Mandir to Tower.
• Only vehicles possessing permits allowed to access said road.
• Primary procession to start from Nishtar Park, will end in Kharadar.

Karachi Traffic Police has issued a comprehensive traffic diversion plan in light of Muharram processions that will be taking place in the country's financial hub from 8 to 10th Muharram, The News reported on Saturday.

The metropolis, each year, witnesses thousands of mourners participating in several Muharram processions wherein the government and law enforcement agencies chalk out a detailed security plan including cordoning off several streets as part of relevant security measures.

For the Ashura — the 10th day of Muharram falling on July 17 — the Sindh government has banned 143 ulema and zakireen hailing from 13 districts for 60 days as part of security measures during the month of Muharram.

The primary procession will start from Nishtar Park and will culminate at Imambargah Hussainian Iranian at Kharadar.

In light of the procession, MA Jinnah Road will be closed off to traffic from Guru Mandir to Tower and only vehicles possessing the necessary permits will be allowed access to it — vehicles with relevant stickers will be allowed to enter the procession through the Highway Leaders Society Light Signal.

No vehicles will be allowed to go beyond Guru Mandir and will be diverted towards Bahadur Yar Jung Road Soldier Bazar from there.

District Central

Traffic coming from Nazimabad will be allowed to move towards Nishtar Road and Garden via Lasbela Chowk, whereas vehicles travelling from Liaquatabad will be diverted to Lasbela Chowk via Teen Hatti and then go left towards Central Jail (Martin Road).

The commuters going from Hassan Square to PP Chowrangi can go from Kashmir Road to Society Light Signal (Sharea Quaideen) and from Jail Chowrangi Flyover to Teen Hatti to Nishtar Road (Lasbela Chowk).

District East

People going towards Naumaish Chowrangi from Sharea Faisal to Sharea Quaideen (Noorani Kebab) can go to their destination from Kashmir Road on the right side of Society Light Signal.

Moreover, the people going from Central Jail gate (Jamshed Road) towards Guru Nandir and MA Jinnah Road can go towards their destination from Guru Nandir to Bahadur Yar Jung Road, Soldier Bazaar.

District South

Those travelling from Garden Zoo to MA Jinnah Road can go from Ankle Saria to Gul Plaza on the right and Coast Guards and Holy Family Hospital on the left to their destination.

Heavy traffic

All heavy and commercial traffic going from Super Highway, Gulberg to MA Jinnah Road will be diverted from Liaquatabad No-10 to Nazimabad Chowrangi No-2 via Habib Bank Flyover, State Avenue Road, Shershah to Mauripur.

Vehicles going towards the city from National Highway, can do so via Sharea Faisal, Rashid Minhas Road, Stadium Road, Sir Shah Suleman Road, Hassan Square, Liaquatabad No. 10, Nazimabad Chowrangi No. 2, Habib Bank Flyover, State Avenue Road, Shershah to Mauripur will be allowed.

Participants' route

Participants coming from Nazimabad Lasbella, Albella, Garden Jamaat Khana on the right, Soldier Bazar No 3 Light Signal to Naumaish and from Liaquatabad to Teen Hati, Jahangir Road, Gurumandir to Naumaish.

The participants from Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Gulshan-e-Iqbal shall join via University Road, Purani Sabzi Mandi, Kashmir Road, Society Light Signal to Naumaish.

Vehicles joining the procession to perform Sabeel or Niaz or Tabrak Taqeem will only be allowed to enter the procession via the Tower and the Memon Mosque.

No vehicle will be allowed to park on the procession route.