Capital on Alert: Heavy Security, Road Closures for 9th Muharram Procession

News Desk

Islamabad: Islamabad police have finalized an extensive security and traffic management plan for the central 9th Muharram ul Haram procession, scheduled to take place in Sector G-6/2. Over 3,000 personnel from the district police, Special Branch, Traffic Police, Rangers, and Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) have been deployed to ensure peace and safety during the sensitive religious gathering.

Inspector General of Police (IGP) Syed Ali Nasir Rizvi said the procession will be monitored through Islamabad Safe City’s advanced infrastructure, including more than 3,000 high-resolution CCTV cameras, mobile command and monitoring units, and the central Safe City Command Centre.

Sniper commandos will be stationed on rooftops, while Bomb Disposal Squad teams will sweep the procession route using modern detection equipment.

The route has been fully cordoned off with barbed wire and barricades, and a three-layer security cordon has been formed to prevent unauthorized access. Specialized CTD and Rangers units will secure the front and rear ends of the procession.

Entry will only be allowed through designated points, with lady police officers and female volunteers handling security checks for women.

IGP Rizvi imposed a strict ban on private drone usage around the procession, citing potential surveillance and security risks. He urged the public to fully cooperate with law enforcement personnel.

In conjunction with the security plan, the Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) have also announced a special traffic management plan to facilitate citizens and maintain smooth vehicular flow in the city.

According to ITP, several roads will be closed to general traffic during the procession. These include:

Fazl-e-Haq Road (Polyclinic to Kulsoom Plaza): Closed; alternate route via Jinnah Avenue.

Seventh Avenue (Daman-e-Koh Chowk to Chand Tara Chowk, including both loops of Blue Area): Closed; alternate routes include Suharwardy Road, Faisal Avenue, and Margalla Road.

Saddar Road (Iqbal Hall to Melody Chowk): Closed; commuters advised to use Aabpara and Suharwardy Road.

Municipal Road (Lal Masjid to Shohada Chowk and GPO Chowk): Closed; Shaheed Millat Road advised as alternate.

Luqman Hakeem Road (Polyclinic to Iqbal Hall): Closed; Jinnah Avenue available as alternate.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Captain Syed Zeeshan Haider urged citizens to avoid illegal parking and use designated areas. Traffic police personnel will be present along key routes to guide the public.

Authorities have appealed for public cooperation during this significant event to ensure a peaceful and smooth observance of 9th Muharram in the federal capital.