Karachi police unveil traffic management plan for Chehlum procession

The Karachi Traffic Police have announced a comprehensive traffic management plan for the central mourning processions of 20 Safar 1448 AH, scheduled to be observed on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, to ensure the smooth conduct of religious activities and minimize disruption to the city's traffic flow.

According to an official traffic advisory, the city's main procession will begin at 9:00 a.m. from Nishtar Park and follow its traditional route via MA Jinnah Road, Empress Market, Regal, Tibet Centre, Radio Pakistan, Jamia Cloth Market, Denso Hall, Bolton Market, and Kharadar, before concluding at the Hussainian Iranian Imambargah.

To facilitate both mourners and commuters, the Traffic Police have announced extensive road diversions and designated alternative routes for heavy, light and motorcycle traffic.

Heavy vehicles approaching MA Jinnah Road from Numaish will be diverted through Bahadur Yar Jang Road, while traffic from Liaquatabad heading towards Guru Mandir will be redirected via Lasbela Chowk.

Heavy vehicles travelling from Hassan Square towards People's Chowrangi will be diverted through the Pir Sibghatullah Shah Rashdi Road.

For light traffic, motorists travelling from Shahrah-e-Faisal towards MA Jinnah Road have been advised to use Society Light Signal and Khalid Bin Waleed Road. Vehicles coming from Jail Chowrangi and Guru Mandir towards the city centre should use Soldier Bazaar Road as an alternative route.

Motorcyclists travelling from Garden towards MA Jinnah Road will be allowed to proceed through Aga Khan III Road to Nishtar Road before continuing to their destinations.

The Traffic Police said that only vehicles carrying procession participants will be permitted to enter the procession route.

Such vehicles must display the official traffic police-issued sticker, while vehicles transporting religious scholars participating in the procession must also carry a specially issued windscreen permit. No unauthorized vehicle will be allowed access to the restricted areas.

Authorities have also designated parking facilities at multiple locations, including Nishtar Road, Garden, Lasbela, MA Jinnah Road, Liaquatabad, Teen Hatti, Jahangir Road, Pakistan Chowk and Kharadar, to accommodate participants.

The Karachi Traffic Police have appealed to citizens to cooperate with traffic officials, avoid unnecessary travel along the procession route, use the prescribed alternative roads, and plan their journeys in advance to prevent inconvenience during the observance of 20 Safar.

Officials emphasized that the traffic arrangements have been designed to maintain public safety, facilitate the religious procession, and ensure the smooth movement of traffic across the city throughout the day.