Alternative traffic plan issued for Ashura processions

500 officers to be deployed to provide security

ISLAMABAD:

The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has drawn up a deployment plan to manage traffic on alternate routes during the main processions on 9th Muharram ul Haram in the federal capital.

According to police sources, under the plan, more than 500 policemen comprising one SP, four DSPs, 17 inspectors will perform duties to divert traffic towards alternative routes when the procession is in progress.

The SSP (Traffic) will supervise the plan while traffic police personnel will be present at diversion points to guide road users. ITP FM Radio 92.4 will broadcast regular traffic updates to inform people about the traffic situation and the procession’s progress.

The main mourning procession will be taken out from Imam Bargah Asna-e-Ashri G-6/2 on 9th Muharram-ul-Haram, which will culminate at the same place after passing through its traditional routes. During the procession, Fazal-e-Haq road, the roads from Poly Clinic to Kalsoom plaza will remain closed.

According to the plan, 7th Avenue from F-6 Chowk to Soharwardi road, Fazal-e-Haq road from China Chowk to Kalsum Plaza would be closed for general traffic. The road from Iqbal Hall to Melody Chowk, Municipal road from Markazi Jamia Masjid to Poly Clinic Chowk, Luqman Hakeem road from Poly Clinic to Lal Quarter while G-6 service road from G-6/2 Chowk to Lal Quarter Chowk will remain close for general traffic from 8 am to onward (till the end of the procession) at 8 pm.

The police source said that traffic will be diverted towards alternate routes and citizens may use one track of 7th Avenue from Kulsoom Plaza to Chand Tara Chowk and Jinnah Avenue from Kulsoom Plaza to China Chowk.

Read Cellular services suspended in Peshawar ahead of Muharram procession

The other roads including 7th Avenue, Aabpara, Sehrwardy road, Shaheed Milat road may be used as alternate routes.

Another procession on 9th Muharram will start from Imambargah Musa Kazim in sector I-10/1 which will culminate back there after passing through various routes including I-10 Markaz, CDA Chowk No 1, Katarian bridge, IJP road (Pirwadhai and Faizabad area) will remain close for traffic while citizens should use IJP road if they want to proceed towards I-10 (Sabzi Mandi) from Faizabad, Murree road, Bhara Kahu or Khana bridge. Meanwhile the residents of sectors I-8, I-9 should use external IJP, Pirwadhai road.

The Islamabad Traffic Police has appealed to citizens to use alternate routes and cooperate with ITP personnel deployed at various points to guide them.

Over 800 cops to be on Muharram duty in Abbottabad

District Police Officer (DPO) Abbottabad Zahoor Babar Afridi Tuesday issued an elaborate security plan for 9th and 10th Moharram, SP headquarters Abbottabad Malik Ejaz would perform duties as officer-in-charge.

Around 811 policemen and officers, including District police, CTD, Elite Force, Rapid Response Force (RRF), Traffic Police, Special Branch, Bomb Disposal Unit, District Security Branch, and Lady Commandos would be deputed to maintain law and order situation in district Abbottabad.

All departments concerned would provide security clearance certificates of the routes for Moharram processions and majalis after complete search and screaming operation where electricity poles, PTCL poles, post boxes, and ravines would also be checked to ensure security.

DPO Abbottabad also cancelled the holidays of all police officers and officers and conducted the mock exercise in the district.

SP traffic would also look after the Karakoram Highway (KKH), Murree Road, link Road, Majalis, and processions. All police officers were directed to remain in contact with the Fire Brigade, Hospital, Rescue 1122 and Wapda, to tackle any challenge during the duty.

WITH ADDITIONAL INPUT FROM APP

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