Karachi Traffic Police Announce Comprehensive Traffic Plan for Muharram Processions Ahead of Ashura

The Karachi Traffic Police on Tuesday unveiled a detailed traffic management plan for the city, covering 8th to 10th Muharram 1448 AH, in view of the upcoming Ashura observances.

A spokesperson for the DIG Traffic Police stated that MA Jinnah Road will be shut down from Guru Mandir to Tower due to security considerations, as the main procession on all three days will set off from Nishtar Park and culminate at Hussainia Iranian Imambargah, following the customary route.

Commuters travelling from Nazimabad have been advised to take Lasbela Chowk via the Garden area to access Nishtar Road, while those coming from Liaquatabad should head left towards Teen Hatti and continue along Martin Road. Notably, the Liaquatabad-Guru Mandir road will be closed to vehicular traffic between 8:30am and 9:30am on Muharram 9.

For those travelling between Hasan Square and Peoples Chowrangi, alternative routes including Kashmir Road, Jail Flyover, Teen Hatti, and Nishtar Road have been suggested. Likewise, traffic moving from Shahrah-e-Faisal towards Numaish Chowrangi will be rerouted onto Kashmir Road from the Society Light Signal. Citizens heading from Central Jail Gate (Jamshed Road) towards MA Jinnah Road (Guru Mandir) have been instructed to use the Guru Mandir-Bahadur Yar Jung Road route via Soldier Bazar.

The 9th and 10th of Muharram 1448 AH will fall on June 25 and 26 (Thursday and Friday) this year. The federal government has officially declared both days as public holidays in connection with Ashura. As per a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on June 22, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the public holidays for these two dates.

Muharram holds the distinction of being one of the four sacred months in the Islamic calendar, with Ashura marking its tenth day — the day on which Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), was martyred alongside his family members in the Battle of Karbala. Across the country, mourners take part in processions and majalis throughout Muharram, while religious scholars deliver sermons to large congregations.