Eid Miladun Nabi: Security beefed up in twin cities

Kashmir Highway among thoroughfares to be closed; pillion riding ban in Pindi

ISLAMABAD: Security in the twin cities has been boosted ahead of Eid Miladun Nabi on Rabiul Awwal 12 with plans to close several key roads in the capital and a ban on pillion riding in Rawalpindi.

" on Saturday issued traffic plan for Rabiul Awwal under which several thoroughfares in Sectors G-7 and G-6, including Kashmir Highway, would be closed on Monday. According to police, a total of 45 processions are expected to be taken out in the capital to celebrate the birth of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).

The main procession is expected to originate at 11am from Masjid Al-Raza Khadda Market in Sector G-7 and will pass through Habib Market, G-7/3 Service Road, Kulsum Plaza, Fazle Haq Road, Imambargah G-6, CDA Hospital, Melody, and Aabpara Market. After passing through the designated route, it would culminate at Darbar Sakhi Mehmood at Aabpara before dusk. Several smaller processions are expected to join the main procession.

In this regard, police said Saddar Road from Sitara Market, Service Road from Iqbal Hall to Razia Shareef Plaza, and Fazle-e-Haq Road from China Chowk to Kulsum Plaza will remain closed for all traffic.

Similarly, roads from Melody to Aabpara and from Aabpara to Seventh Avenue will also remain blocked.

Kashmir Highway would be closed from Seventh Avenue to Convention Centre. These roads will be closed at 10am and will reopen after the processions conclude.

Islamabad Traffic Police have said alternate routes to these roads would be provided while around 300 traffic wardens would be deployed to regulate traffic along the route procession.

Security beefed up

Meanwhile, SSP-Operations Sajid Kiani has said that around 2,000 security personnel, including personnel of Rangers and would Frontier Constabulary would be deployed for security of the processions.

Pindi arrangements

Similarly, stringent measures have been taken for security in Rawalpindi.

Some 3,200 police personnel and officers would be deputed across the district to guard the processions.

The main procession in the city would be secured by 1,200 cops. All routes along the main procession would be checked with the help of the bomb squad.

With regard to traffic, the District Coordination Officer (DCO) Talat Mahmood Gondal on Saturday issued a notification banning pillion riding in the city on Monday.

Moreover, acting Chief Traffic Officer Yousaf Ali Shahid said traffic police would place diversions at Mashriq Hotel Chowk, DAV College Road Chowk, Novelty Chowk, Shah Allah Ditta Road, Bansanwala Chowk, Hamilton Chowk, Mareer Chowk and Rawal Road and all the traffic would also be diverted on substitute routes.

He said that the citizens who wish to go to Islamabad would use Airport Road, Islamabad Expressway, Mall Road, Peshawar Road, Tipu Road, Rawal Road and IJ Principal Road.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 11^th, 2016.