RAWALPINDI: The City Traffic Police (CTP) has issued a traffic diversion plan in connection with the Chehlum of Imam Husain and his companions and ordered deployment of 215 personnel to maintain traffic in the garrison city on Monday.

A CTP spokesperson said 215 wardens and traffic assistants had been deployed and special arrangements made to keep the traffic flowing on alternative routes.

According to the traffic plan, Committee Chowk to Iqbal Road will be closed and there will be a diversion from DAV College Chowk. No traffic will be allowed towards Fawara Chowk.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Beenish Fatima said foolproof traffic security will be provided for the mourning processions.

Chehlum of Imam Husain and his companions held in federal capital amid tight security

Public service vehicles will be sent back from DAV College Chowk while other transport will be diverted to Bhosa Godown from Gawalmandi to Dhoke Kumhar.

There will be a diversion near Mashreq Hotel, City Saddar Road and the traffic will be diverted back to Saddar and Mohanpura and from Cinema Chowk it will go to Piwadhai via Ganjmandi Road.

Similarly, the road from Cinema Chowk to Kashmiri Bazar will be closed and all traffic will move towards Saddar Transit Camp.

Traffic through Dhoke Hassu will move towards Pirwadhai, a diversion will be set up on Shah Allah Ditta Road from where the traffic will be diverted towards Dhoke Dalal, TB Hospital, Pirwadhai and Asghar Mall. A diversion will be installed near Bakery Chowk to Banni Chowk and traffic will be sent to Liaquat Bagh via Saidpur Road, Murree Road via Circular Road, Hamilton Chowk and Banswala Chowk.

In addition, traffic coming towards old Imambargah Baltistania will be blocked by putting a diversion at Pir Chauha Chowk. For a procession from Imambargah Yadgar Hussain Satellite Town, traffic will be diverted to alternate routes at College of Commerce, Hyatt Wali Hospital, Aziz Nursing Home, Bani Chowk near Kohati Bazaar, Roshan Bakery, Kali Tanki Chowk, Asghar Mall College, Banni Market and various other places.

The CTO said that all officers and assistant wardens should be on alert and ensure the traffic flow and security.

On the other hand, more than 4,600 police personnel have been deployed by the district police to maintain peace during Chehlum processions and majalis.

Of the 4,600 personnel, 4,400 will perform security duty with the Chehlum procession as walk-through gates will be erected at the entry points while every mourner will be subjected to body search before joining the procession.

SSP Operations Hafiz Kamran Asghar will supervise the security arrangements as the route of the procession will be monitored through CCTV cameras with sharp shooters deployed on rooftops of buildings.

Islamabad

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Islamabad Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi inspected the security arrangements for the Chehlum procession which was held in the capital on Sunday.

The IGP had directed all security officers to remain vigilant and emphasised that the procession routes should be secured and well-lit. All officers assigned to security duty were required to be present along the procession route, and those stationed on rooftops were to maintain a high state of alertness.

The police had deployed over 3,000 officers and personnel from other law enforcement agencies.

The officers were instructed to maintain close liaison with peace committees and procession organisers. Cooperation from the organisers facilitated effective collaboration with the police and law enforcement officials during processions.

Arrangements for checking participants using metal detectors were ensured and strict vigilance was maintained to confirm that security measures were in place by both the police and peace committees.

Pakistan Rangers and other law enforcement agencies also assisted the Islamabad police in ensuring elaborate security arrangements. All zonal officers were directed to make proper lighting arrangements after negotiations with the relevant authorities and to clear bushes in areas around places of worship.

The police officials were instructed to conduct effective patrolling and use commando vehicles for this purpose.

Ambulance and fire brigade vehicles were stationed near the procession to handle any emergencies. The Dolphin Squad was deployed for patrolling along designated routes.

Six outlaws arrested

Police apprehended six outlaws from different areas of the city during the last 24 hours and recovered weapons with ammunition from their possession, a public relations officer said on Sunday.

“The Sumbal police arrested a suspect and recovered one 30-bore pistol from his possession. The Kirpa police arrested three persons and recovered three 30-bore pistols with ammunition. Similarly, the Loi Bher police arrested a man and recovered one 30-bore pistol from his possession. The Phulgran police recovered one 30-bore pistol from the possession of a person and arrested him,” he said.

Published in Dawn, August 26th, 2024