Pindi gears up for Milad celebrations

City will host two central processions, with 3,000 smaller processions joining them

RAWALPINDI:

Two central processions will be taken out in Rawalpindi city to celebrate the birth anniversary of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), with all preparations completed.

Government buildings and the procession routes have been decorated with colourful flags and electric lights, giving the city a festive appearance. Markets and shopping centres will remain closed on the public holiday as part of the celebrations.

Sweets will be distributed among patients in the city's hospitals and inmates at Adiala Jail. Monitoring arrangements have also been completed, with 500 closed-circuit television cameras deployed across the city.

The central city Milad procession will begin from Banni Chowk and pass through Kohati Bazaar, Murree Road, Committee Chowk, Iqbal Road, Fawara Chowk and Jamia Masjid Road before concluding at its designated destination.

The central Cantt Milad procession will start from Chungi 22 Chowk and pass through Tanch Bhatta Road, Abid Majid Road, Mall Road and GPO Chowk before ending at Kamran Market Chowk.

Federal Parliamentary Secretary Malik Abrar will inaugurate the central Milad procession organised by the Central Jamia Mosque in the Cantonment.

According to the Home Department, 1,436 Milad-un-Nabi gatherings and 2,479 Milad processions will be held across Punjab, including Rawalpindi district. Some 55,000 officers and personnel have been deployed to provide security.

Around 3,000 smaller processions from across the city will join the two central processions along their respective routes.

The use of drums, tin instruments and megaphones, as well as the carrying of weapons, sticks, bullock carts and heavy trailers, will be prohibited during both processions. Only hand drums will be permitted.

The display of pictures of political leaders and party flags, along with political slogans, will also be prohibited. Participants will be allowed to recite Naat and Darood Sharif only.