Major thoroughfares including Sharea Faisal closed for traffic

Traffic police issues alternate traffic plan, security beefed up in provincial capital

KARACHI:

Major thoroughfares of Karachi will remain closed for traffic on Tuesday as part of security measures taken ahead of the arrival of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and his foreign delegation to the city.

The metropolis' traffic police shared an alternate traffic plan for commuters.

According to a traffic police spokesperson, both tracks of Sharea Faisal will be closed for traffic from the Jinnah Airport to Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC), and routes from Sharea Faisal to Sharea Quaideen and Gurumandir will also remain closed.

Both tracks of Dr Ziauddin Road (Ziauddin Bridge and Lily Bridge) from Lily signal to Shaheen Complex, Khajoor Chowk are also closed for traffic today. The spokesperson added that both tracks of MA Jinnah Road from Gurumandir to Garden Chowk (Aman Tower) will remain closed to traffic today.

Citizens travelling from DHA and Clifton to the airport should take a left from Qayyumabad Bridge (Imtiaz Store) and proceed through Korangi Industrial Area, Brooks Chowrangi, Singer Chowrangi, Murtaza Chowrangi, and Dawood Chowrangi.

Alternatively, to reach Jinnah Terminal Airport via Malir Halt, commuters can take a left from Quaidabad and then take a left from the Main National Highway.

Passengers from I.I. Chundrigarh Road, Tower, and Kemari West heading to the airport are advised to utilize Mauripur Road and Lyari Expressway via Superhighway Malir Cantt No.6 Check Post.

Similarly, those going to Saddar from the airport are advised to take Gate 6 of Jinnah Avenue.

For citizens visiting Jinnah Hospital Cardio and the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD) - routes through Defense, Qayyumabad Flyover, and Korangi Industrial Area are recommended.

Similarly, those travelling from Korangi are advised to access Jinnah Hospital and Cantt Station by turning left from Korangi Road and travel through Kala Pul and Navy Heights.

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The road leading from Gurumandir to Numaish will also remain closed for traffic, commuters are advised to take a left from Lasbela Chowk towards Business Recorder Road. Then, they should proceed by taking another left from Nishtar Road to Albela Signal. Continuing from the Mazar signal to Ramswamy, they should again turn left to reach Civil Hospital and Tower.

Similarly, individuals intending to visit the Jamacloth from Numaish Chowrangi should utilize alternative routes for their commute.

The traffic police added the commuters can travel from Eidgah Chowk to Garden Chowk (Gul Plaza) by taking a left turn onto Aga Khan Road (Makki Masjid) and then proceed towards the Karachi Zoo to reach their destination.

The traffic police can be reached at helpline number 1915 in case further guidance and information is required.

On April 21, Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi announced a public holiday in the city on April 23, according to the notification, the move aimed at avoiding any inconvenience to the public given the arrival of a foreign delegation and to ensure their smooth reception.

Iran's President Raisi is accompanied by his spouse and a high-level delegation on a official visit to Pakistan. He plans to visit Karachi, the country’s biggest city later today and is currently in Lahore.