City lights up for Eid Miladun Nabi

KARACHI:

The metropolitan city is aglow with lights and buntings, as streets and buildings are decorated for Jashan-e-Eid Miladun Nabi.

The birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal, will be celebrated on Tuesday (today). Like the rest of the country, Karachi will observe Eid-e-Milad with religious zeal and fervour. Both federal and provincial governments have already declared a public holiday today.

The city's streets, neighbourhoods, and markets have been adorned with colourful lights, electric lamps, and green flags. Government and private buildings are also illuminated with decorative arches and gates installed across many roads and marketplaces.

The faithful are expressing their reverence through the creation of intricate models of the Kaaba and Masjid-e-Nabawi. Across Karachi, gatherings for Darood-o-Salam and Naat recitations are being held, along with conferences and seminars focusing on the life and teachings of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Meanwhile, comprehensive security measures have been put in place by police and law enforcement agencies to ensure safety during the celebrations. The main procession, organised by Jamaat-e-Ahle Sunnat Karachi, will be taken out from Bolton Market at 3pm and will proceed via MA Jinnah Road to Nishtar Park, where a major event is scheduled to begin at 5pm. Prominent scholars will deliver speeches during the gathering, and Asar and Maghrib prayers will be offered at the park.

One thousand volunteers and scouts from Jamaat-e-Ahle Sunnat Karachi will oversee the procession and event arrangements. Allama Shah Abdul Haq Qadri has urged participants to cooperate fully with both the administration and volunteers. The Jamaat-e-Ahle Sunnat Karachi has instructed that procession organisers respect one another's events, adhere to the designated times, and avoid obstructing or interfering with other processions. The procession will enter MA Jinnah Road, and vehicles should be parked in the designated area near Mazar-e-Quaid.

Allama Shah Abdul Haq Qadri has also appealed that negative wall chalking be avoided and that people refrain from interfering with police and Rangers, who are tasked with maintaining security.

Milad security

The city police have announced a security plan for the main procession to b etaken out in connection with 12 Rabiul Awwal.

According to a police spokesperson, as many as 4,332 officers and personnel will be deployed to ensure the safety of the procession, its routes, and surrounding areas.

This contingent includes 706 ASIs and SIs, 87 senior officers, and 3,374 head constables and constables. Moreover, commandos from the Special Security Unit (SSU) and security division personnel will also be on duty.

The spokesperson said that SSU expert snipers will be positioned on multi-storey buildings along the procession route to enhance security. At Nishtar Park, 449 police officers and officials will be assigned to security duties. The deployment will include 160 police and armored vehicles, comprising 76 police mobiles and 70 motorcycles. SWAT teams from the special security unit will be on standby to address any emergencies.

A traffic management plan has also been devised to facilitate smooth flow on both the main procession routes and alternative pathways. Traffic police officers will be placed to manage congestion and ensure safety.