RAWALPINDI: The City Traffic Police (CTP) has released a traffic plan for Pakistan Day’s Parade, and Thursday’s (today) full-dress rehearsal with the deployment of 133 traffic police personnel to maintain a smooth flow of traffic.

Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Taimoor Khan said on Wednesday that the deployment of traffic police will be posted at 6am in line with the traffic plan.

As part of the traffic plan, the entry of heavy traffic will not be allowed to enter Rawalpindi city, as the heavy traffic coming from Muzaffarabad to Murree and Islamabad will be stopped at Lower Topa, while the one coming from Abbottabad will be stopped at Barian, and the heavy traffic coming from Murree will be stopped at Satra Meel.

As part of the plan, the National Highways and Motorway Police (NHMP) will stop heavy traffic coming from Peshawar at Attock Bridge, Horrow Bridge, Margalla, Taxila, and Chongi No. 26, while traffic coming from Lahore on G.T. Road will be stopped at Jhelum Bridge and Mandra Toll Plaza.

The Rawat T. Chowk traffic will be diverted to Rawalpindi instead of Islamabad. In the traffic plan, the duties of one SP/STO, 10 DSPs, 21 inspectors, 101 traffic wardens, and traffic assistants have been assigned for the Pakistan Day Parade and full-dress rehearsal.

On the other hand, the authorities concernedhave asked the commissioner and regional police officer (RPO) Rawalpindi to keep the fly past route for March 23 parade from Rawat toShakarparian Parade Ground cleared of birds, bird attractants, animals, dairy farms, garbage dumps, butchery wastes, and any other source of birds’ attraction or flight safety hazard.

They had also demanded a complete ban on firing in jubilation and ‘No Weapon Zone’within the three kilometers radius of the airfield of Nur Khan Airfield, besides educating people on the hazards these stray bullets pose to the safety of flights and personnel.

In addition, removal of birds from the vicinity of Nur Khan Airfield, especially Rawal Road, Khuram Colony, Muslim Town, Dhoke Gangal, and Dhoke Lalyal, etc., along with a complete ban on pigeon flying and pigeon homing.

The authorities have also requested that the district administration and police take action for the safety of national assets, personnel deployed at PAF Base Nur Khan, and the safety of the fly-past route.

The Nur Khan Airfield is frequently used day and night by VVIPs, VIPs, dignitaries, and state guests, so the authorities were urged to make efforts.

Local Holiday

Meanwhile, following the Punjab provincial government’s orders, the Deputy Commissioner of Rawalpindi, Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema, has declared local holidays on March 21 (today) and March 22 (Friday) in Rawalpindi on account of the March 23 Pakistan Day Parade.

However, the DC said that this notification will not affect the SSC I Annual Examination at BISE Rawalpindi.

Published in Dawn, March 21st, 2024