Sharae Faisal swept clean as govt gears up for Zardari’s homecoming

PPP leader to address public gathering tomorrow

KARACHI: The only time the government remembers the city's cleanliness is when it comes to appeasing political leaders. In another unsurprising move, the district administration has started lifting garbage along Sharae Faisal while preparing to welcome Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari.

The PPP leader, who is expected to arrive tomorrow (Friday), left the country in June, 2015, following his hard hitting speech against the establishment in Pakistan for overstepping its domain. Since then, he has been living in self-exile in Dubai and London.



The Airport assistant commissioner has directed the Malir municipal commissioner to lift the garbage along Sharae Faisal before the arrival of the PPP leader.

The main arteries of the city have been decorated with portraits of Zardari and PPP's flags.

Public gathering

PPP's jalsa committee members convened a meeting and visited the Old Terminal of the Karachi airport, where the party's co-chairperson is expected to address a big public gathering.

People from across Sindh and other provinces are also expected to attend the event.

Senator Saeed Ghani, who is also the secretary-general of the party's Karachi division, has written a letter to the Karachi commissioner seeking permission to use loudspeakers at the Old Terminal.

"It will be a historic day after the homecoming rally of Benazir Bhutto," remarked Ghani, adding that thousands of people are expected to attend the event. "The event will prove that this city belongs to the jiyalas of Bhutto."

After a two-day stay in Karachi, Zardari will then visit Garhi Khuda Bux on December 25 and offer prayers at the mausoleum of slain PPP leaders Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto. After this, he will visit to his hometown in Benazirabad and later attend the death anniversary of Benazir, which will be observed on December 27.

Traffic plan

Due to the arrival of the leader, the city's main artery, Sharae Faisal, is likely to be blocked, which is why the traffic police have announced alternative traffic routes for tomorrow.

People in Defence and Clifton, who plan on traveling to the airport, will have to use the alternative route that passes through Korangi Industrial Area, Murtaza Chowrangi, Malir Halt, Model Colony and then airport.

People in District Central and some parts of District East have been advised to use the route that passes through University Road, Safoora and Malir Cantonment check post number 6 to travel to the airport.

Alternative routes for the visitors of Ziauddin Hospital and South City Hospital have also been announced. People planning to visit Ziauddin Hospital have been advised to use Sea View Road and China Chowrangi while Bahria underpass is advised for people planning to visit South City Hospital.



Residents of DHA and Clifton, planning to travel to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre, should use Chaudhary Khaleequz Zaman Road, while people coming from Landhi and Korangi should take a left from the Canteen Stores Department (CSD) Supermarket on Korangi Road.

People who have to visit Liaquat National Hospital and Aga Khan University Hospital are advised to use University Road and then Stadium Road.

Speaking about the plan, Traffic DIG Asif Eijaz Shaikh remarked that they will ensure the smooth flow of traffic.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 22^nd, 2016.