KARACHI, Dec 11: Motorists and commuters in public vehicles may face traffic mess during the next couple of days as the traffic police have plans to close some busy roads to ensure security during the VIP movement. The traffic police in a communiqué warned the people to avoid using Sharea Faisal on Sunday and Monday. They should rather use alternative routes, a handout said, and added that those using Sharea Faisal should be mentally prepared to face delays.

The traffic police, however, neither mentioned the alternative routes nor cited the reasons for issuing such a warning to people using one of the busiest arteries.

President Musharraf arrived here on Sunday but being holiday, the traffic was thin on roads and no reports of traffic congestion were received. However, an unannounced closure of Aiwan-i-Saddar Road was witnessed. The Habib Ibrahim Rahmatullah Road (known as Karsaz Road) was also closed at night besides the closure of Sharea Faisal. The M.R. Kiyani Road was already closed for traffic on Sunday afternoon owing to the weekly cultural programme of Koocha-i-Saqafat.

However, Monday being the working day, commuters and motorists may face long delays in traffic flow due president’s movements in parts of city. The city usually witnesses traffic chaos owing to unannounced closures of roads on the arrival of the president or the prime minister. The traffic police department has though issued an advisory, it has not mentioned the closure timings of Sharea Faisal, which, according to police, is necessary to provide a safe passage to the VVIP movement.

Already people are facing problems owing to restriction on a number of roads. Aiwan-i-Saddar Road running in front of the Governor’s House; Club Road running in front of the five star hotels; Qasr-i-Naz; and a portion of Abdullah Haroon Road running in front of the US consulate are considered VVIP roads. The government has restricted public vehicles, rickshaws and taxis to use Aiwan-i-Saddar Road and the Club Road. Even motorcyclists are restricted to use the portion of the Abdullah Haroon Road where the US consulate is located.

Another problem for the citizens is the forced conversion of parking zones into no-parking zones. Service roads on either side of Sharea Faisal are always converted into no-parking zones where hundreds of cars are lifted without any warning.