LAHORE - The Punjab Mass Transit Authority has announced the suspension of metro bus service, electric buses, and speedo bus service on the 9th and 10th of Muharram across the province. The decision was taken due to security concerns during the mourning period. Services will remain suspended in Lahore, Multan, and Rawalpindi.
Traffic Advisory for 9th Muharram Procession
The City Traffic Police Lahore (CTPL) has issued a traffic advisory for the 9th Muharram mourning procession scheduled to proceed from Islam Pura to Khaima-e-Sadaat via Pando Street. Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Syed Abdul Raheem Shirazi confirmed that all necessary arrangements have been completed to ensure smooth traffic flow and facilitate mourners during the procession.
SP City Maqsood Lone will supervise the traffic arrangements, and special measures have been taken to keep routes clear for emergency vehicles throughout the procession. The CTO stated that traffic diversions would remain temporary and roads would be reopened immediately after the passage of the procession. “Traffic at diversion points would only be stopped for a short time and restored as soon as the procession moves forward,” he added.
Road Closures and Diversions
According to the traffic advisory, traffic coming from Chowk Civil Secretariat towards Islam Pura will not be allowed, while all kinds of traffic from Sanda Road towards Pando Street will remain restricted. Similarly, traffic from Chowk Sanda Khurd via Haider Road towards Neeli Bar, as well as traffic approaching from Last Bus Stop and Sanda Road towards Noori Building, will not be permitted during the procession.
Restrictions will also remain in place from Neeli Bar Turn towards Neeli Bar Chowk, Chowk Tollinton Market towards Old Anarkali, Baba Mauj Darya towards Khaima-e-Sadaat, and from Jain Mandar Chowk towards Edward Road and Khaima-e-Sadaat. Traffic from Farid Kot Road towards Jain Mandar and Khaima-e-Sadaat, as well as from Jain Mandar Chowk towards Old Anarkali, will also be diverted.
Alternative Routes for Commuters
The CTO said alternative routes had been designated to minimise inconvenience to commuters. Traffic from Last Bus Stop will be diverted through Sanda, Firdous Cinema, Sanda Road and MAO College, while vehicles from MAO College and Sanda Road will be able to access Sanda through Last Bus Stop. Traffic coming from Azadi Flyover will be diverted at District Courts Chowk towards the G.C. College roundabout, while heavy traffic from Ferozepur Road will be diverted from LOS Chowk towards Ganda Nala. Likewise, traffic approaching from Multan Road will be diverted from Samanabad Mor towards Double Roads and Ring Road.
Shirazi urged citizens to cooperate with traffic wardens, follow the advisory and use alternative routes to avoid inconvenience. He said no diversion would remain permanent and traffic would be managed according to the movement of the procession. The restricted areas include Pando Street Islam Pura, Block Sadaan Islam Pura, Main Bazaar, Chishtia High School Road, Haider Road, Civil Secretariat Chowk, Nabha Road, Church Road, Edward Road, Khaima-e-Sadaat, Jain Mandar Chowk, McLeod Road and Old Anarkali.
Digital Monitoring for Muharram
In a separate development, the Punjab government has rolled out a digital monitoring plan for Muharram to ensure security and smooth management of processions across the province.
