The Karachi Traffic Police have announced a comprehensive traffic diversion plan for the central Chehlum procession of Hazrat Imam Hussain, which is set to take place on Friday, August 15, 2025. The main procession will begin at Nishtar Park and follow its traditional route, ending at the Hussainia Iranian Imambargah.
Due to heightened security measures, authorities will close MA Jinnah Road from Guru Mandir to Tower. Traffic will be rerouted across different city districts as follows:
District Central:
- Vehicles from Nazimabad will divert via Lasbela Chowk to Nishtar Road through Garden.
- Traffic from Liaquatabad will turn right at Teen Hatti towards Lasbela Chowk or left to Martin Road (Central Jail).
- Vehicles travelling from Hassan Square toward PPP Chowrangi will use the Jail Flyover underpass to Kashmir Road, then proceed to Society Light Signal (Shahrah-e-Quaideen), and further via Jail Flyover to Teen Hatti and Nishtar Road (Lasbela Chowk).
District East:
- Traffic from Shahrah-e-Faisal to Shahrah-e-Quaideen (Noorani Kebab) heading toward Numaish will turn right at Society Light Signal to Kashmir Road.
- Vehicles from Central Jail Gate (Jamshed Road) to Guru Mandir will divert via Bahadur Yar Jang Road and Soldier Bazaar.
District South:
- Traffic travelling from Garden Zoo to MA Jinnah Road will turn right at Uncle Sarya to Gul Plaza or left toward Coast Guard and Holy Family Hospital.
Heavy Vehicle Diversions:
- Heavy and commercial vehicles from Super Highway or Gulberg heading toward MA Jinnah Road will divert from Liaquatabad No. 10 to Nazimabad Chowrangi No. 2 via Habib Bank Flyover, Estate Avenue, Sher Shah to Mauripur, and vice versa for the return journey.
- Heavy vehicles from the National Highway entering the city may use Shahrah-e-Faisal or Rashid Minhas Road, Stadium Road, Sir Shah Suleman Road, Hassan Square, Liaquatabad No. 10, Nazimabad Chowrangi No. 2, Habib Bank Flyover, Estate Avenue, Sher Shah to Mauripur, returning by the same route.
Authorities will prohibit all traffic—regardless of vehicle size—on the procession route beyond Guru Mandir Chowk. Vehicles must divert toward Bahadur Yar Jang Road and Soldier Bazaar. Only vehicles displaying a procession sticker on their windscreen can enter MA Jinnah Road via Shahrah-e-Quaideen from Society Light Signal.
Procession Participant Routes:
- From Nazimabad: Lasbela, Albela, Garden Jamaat Khana, Soldier Bazaar No. 3 Light Signal to Numaish.
- From Liaquatabad: Teen Hatti, Jehangir Road, Guru Mandir to Numaish.
- From Society Light Signal to Numaish.
- From Gulistan-e-Johar/Gulshan-e-Iqbal: University Road, Old Sabzi Mandi, Kashmir Road, Society Light Signal to Numaish.
Routes for Sabeel/Niyaz/Tabeer Vehicles:
- Entry allowed from Tower or via Lyari Expressway Garden Interchange, Aga Khan III Road, Uncle Sarya, Nasra School, Capri Light Signal.
- Also accessible via Bahadur Yar Jang Road (Soldier Bazaar), Holy Family Hospital, with a right turn at Nasra School to Capri Light Signal.
DIG Traffic Karachi emphasised that authorities will not permit parking along the entire procession route at any time.
