Eid Miladun Nabi is being celebrated with religious zeal and fervor on Friday across the country amid tight security and surveillance. Moreover, cellular phone and services will also remain closed in various cities including Karachi, Hyderabad, Quetta and Sukkur.

The day will dawn with a 31-gun salute in the federal capital and 21-gun salutes in all the provincial capitals. Special security arrangements have been made throughout the country to ensure foolproof security of processions and rallies.

Islamabad

In Islamabad, the central procession would be taken out at 11am from Rehmat Community Centre, G7 Markaz Ground. The procession will pass through Fazal Haq road, Seventh Avenue, Lal Quarter Chowk, Imambargah G6, CDA Hospital, Aabpara Market and will culminate at Sakhi Mahmood in the evening.

Parliament House, Cabinet Division Secretariat, and all other government, as well as several private buildings, have already been decorated with lights.

To avoid any inconvenience, Islamabad traffic police have devised a traffic plan under which an SP Traffic, three DSPs, 20 Inspectors and 380 other officials and personnel would be regulating traffic on the roads of the capital.

During the procession, Saddar road from Sitara market to Iqbal Hall will remain closed. Commuters would be able to use post office service road as an alternative. The commuters moving from Fire Brigade stop can use Sehrwardi Road, Zero Point, Faisal Avenue.

The service road leading to Razia Sharif Plaza from Iqbal Hall will remain closed, whereas, Seventh Avenue could be used as an alternative route. Fazal-i-Haq Road will remain closed from China Chowk to Razia Shareef Plaza and Jinnah Avenue would be used as an alternative route.

The road leading to Melody, Aabpara Chowk from Shuhda Chowk will remain closed whereas the road leading to Shaheed Millat road from GPO Chowk will be used as an alternative. The Seharwardi road will remain closed from Aabpara Chowk to Seventh Avenue, commuters from Zero Point and Rawalpindi could use Seventh Avenue and Faisal Avenue. Kashmir Highway will also remain closed from Chandtara Chowk to Dhokari Chowk, commuters from Bahakoh and Rawal Dam could use Embassy Road.

SSP Traffic Malik Matloob Hussain has appealed masses to use alternative routes and contact helpline 1915 and 0519261992 in case of an emergency.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) officials said that the decision on suspension of cell phone services will be taken by the interior ministry and provincial home departments.

Lahore

In Lahore, the central procession of Eid Miladun Nabi will be taken out from the Railway Station and will culminate at Rang Mahal after passing through Delhi Gate and Kashmiri Bazaar.

Lahore traffic police also devised a traffic plan to ensure smooth flow of traffic as well as the security of processions. In this regard the following roads will remain closed: the road from district courts to Data Darbar, from Urdu Bazar to Mori Gate, from Azadi Flyover to Pir Makki U-turn, Data Darbar and Bhhati Chowk, from Ratigun Chowk to Lower Mall crossing, from Nolakha Bazaar to Milad Chowk and from Melda Chowk to inside Delhi Gate towards Masjid Wazeer Khan, from Ik Morea to Railway Station, from Haji camp to Zaffar Shaheed Chowk and from Fawara Chowk Macleod Rroad to Australlia road.

As far as alternative routes are concerned, the commuters from Mall road and Civil Secretariate could go Shahdra via Ravi bridge, Niazi Shaheed Interchange, Sagyan Interchange. The traffic from Shahdra would be diverted to Lower Mall road and Circular Road as per the position of the procession. Commuters from Androon Circular Road could approach Macleod Road and Mall road via Bansan Wala Baazarm and Meo Hospital Road.

Traffic police have asked citizens to avoid unnecessary travelling. The citizens can use RastaApp and contact traffic wardens for further details.

Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting to review the security and traffic arrangements. He directed the authorities to ensure foolproof security arrangements.

Karachi

In Karachi, three major processions of Eid Miladun Nabi will be taken out in the old city area and on M A Jinnah Road.

The Karachi Traffic Police has devised a plan to manage traffic throughout the day and particularly when the processions are moving. The police requested citizens to avoid commuting near the routes of the 12th Rabi-ul-Awal processions.

The traffic coming from University Road through New M A Jinnah Road will be diverted to Jail Flyover or Kashmir Road. Commuters on MA Jinnah Road will be diverted to Shahra-i-Quaideen or Corridor-III towards Saddar Road. Commuters moving to Guru Mandar from Peoples Chowrangi will be diverted to Central Jail side. The traffic approaching Guru Mandar from Lasbella will also be diverted to Central Jail side.

Bahadur Yar Jung Road will be closed from Guru Mandar to Mansfield Street. All the traffic coming from Shahrah-e-Quaideen to Numaish will be diverted towards Kashmir Road.

The Sindh Home Department has requested the federal interior ministry to suspend cellular services and internet in Karachi, Hyderabad, and Sukkur.

Quetta

In Quetta, a central procession would be taken out from Ismael Mosque and will culminate at Bacha Khan Road after passing through traditional routes. Strict security measures have been taken to ensure law and order. A ban has also been placed on pillion riding and display of weapons. Police and Frontier Corps personnel will be deployed along the route of the procession.