Citizens told to ensure proper waste disposal amid parade rehearsal

PAF says fighter jets at risk of hitting scavenger birds during low-altitude flight

ISLAMABAD:

Residents of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad have been urged to ensure proper waste disposal to avoid a flock of birds hovering over heaps of garbage that is detrimental for low flying fighter jets during the rehearsals of the Pakistan Day parade, read a public awareness message by the Pakistan Air Force on Wednesday.

The fighter jets were at risk to hit a scavenger bird during their low altitude flight over the twin cities resulting in damage to the national asset, it stated.

The masses are also requested to ensure cleanliness through proper waste disposal to protect the jets flying low during the rehearsals, it added.

Meanwhile, the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) issued a traffic advisory in connection with Pakistan Day Parade for March 23. All types of heavy transport vehicles (HTVs) will be barred from entering into the federal capital during the March 23 parade, stated a press release on Wednesday.

It further noted that in connection with the parade, the entry of freight HTVs in Islamabad will be closed on March 19, 21 and 23 from midnight till 2pm.

The HTV vehicles coming to Islamabad from the Peshawar-Islamabad Motorway and Lahore-Islamabad Motorway will also be barred from entering while the entry of heavy goods vehicles coming from the Grand Trunk Road is also restricted during these hours.

Furthermore, the Rawalpindi City Traffic Police (CTP) observed a traffic plan for the Pakistan Day parade rehearsal on Wednesday.

According to the plan, the entry of traffic from Faizabad to Rawalpindi and Islamabad was completely closed while traffic coming from Murree Road to Islamabad was diverted to Islamabad through 9th Avenue via a diversion point from Double Road Chowk.

In addition to that, there was a complete ban on the entry of heavy traffic in Rawalpindi.

Public service buses and metro bus service in the city also remained closed.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 18^th, 2021.