ISLAMABAD: Many roads in the federal capital are to remain closed on Friday to the general public due to a protest announced by religious and political parties, the bar association and civil societies against the killing of Muslims in Myanmar.

Rallies will be taken out from different parts of the capital after Friday prayers and will march towards the Embassy of Myanmar in the Diplomatic Enclave.

A traffic plan has been devised by Senior Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Malik Matloob Ahmed according to which 488 traffic policemen including four DSPs and inspectors will perform duties. The Islamabad Traffic Police’s FM radio will also inform citizens about the updated situation so they do not face any inconvenience.

According to the traffic plan, the road from Aabpara Chowk to Serena Hotel will be closed for all traffic and motorists can get to the Red Zone by using 7th Avenue, Margalla Road and Faisal Avenue. China Chowk Shaheed Millat Road will also be closed and commuters can use Jinnah Avenue, Fazl-i-Haq Road, Faisal Avenue and 7th Avenue.

The Kashmir Highway will remain closed on both sides from Kashmir Chowk to Dhokro Chowk. For those going to the airport, traffic from Murree and Bhara Kahu will pass through Rawal Dam Chowk and move from Faizabad, Murree Road and the Expressway.

Those going to Peshawar through the motorway may use Faizabad, IJP Road and 9th Avenue and Express Chowk on Embassy Road will be closed. Motorists can use Luqman Hakeem Road, Fazl-i-Haq Road, Jinnah Avenue and Faisal Avenue.

Bari Imam Road will be used and diplomats and foreigners are advised to use Shams picket outage, Radio Pakistan Chowk, Secretariat Chowk and Margalla Road.

Residents of the Bari Imam Area and those going to Qauid-i-Azam University will use Shahdara Road. The road from Shuhda Chowk to GPO Chowk will be closed and commuters can use Luqman Hakeem Road, Fazl-i-Haq Road, Faisal Avenue and Sitara Market Saddar Road instead.

The Municipal Road from Melody Chowk to Aabpara Chowk will be closed and commuters are advised to use the G-7/2 Service Road, Fazl-i-Haq Road and Faisal Avenue. The 7th Avenue Chowk heading to Seharwardy Road and Aabpara Chowk will remain closed and motorists can use 7th Avenue, G-6 Service Road, Sitara Market Saddar Road and Fazl-i-Haq Road instead.

In case the section of the road from Chand Tara Chowk to Dhokri, on the Kashmir Highway, is closed motorists can use Faisal Avenue, Fazl-i-Haq Road and 7th Avenue.

The Agha Khan Road will be closed from Ayub Chowk towards the Secretariat and motorists are advised to use the Margalla Road.

The Bari Imam T-Cross towards Shams picket will remain closed and motorists can instead use Shahdara Road and Murree Road. The Road from Dhokri Kashmir Highway towards Korianwala Chowk will remain closed for all traffic and Rawal Dawm Road from Kashmir Chowk, Faizabad and Murree Roads may be used.

SSP Traffic Malik Matloob said policemen will be deputed at various points to guide citizens towards alternate routes and that the ITP’s FM Radio 92.4 will also be guiding road users.

Security measures have been taken by the capital police and local administration in regards to the protests. According to police officials, the roads leading towards the Red Zone will be sealed and shipping containers will also be placed on them.

The police officials said shipping containers and cranes have been brought in and that the Red Zone will be sealed off early Friday morning. A senior police officer told Dawn the rallies will not be allowed to enter the Red Zone.

“It has been decided that force will be used against them if they attempt to cross the line,” he said.

Unconcerned people will also not be allowed inside the Red Zone,” he added.

Published in Dawn, September 8th, 2017

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