Traffic restrictions in place for Pakistan Day ceremony in capital

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) has issued a route plan for heavy traffic in connection with Pakistan Day ceremony tomorrow (March 23). 

The plan was finalised during a meeting headed by Chief Traffic Officer (CTO) Captain (retd) Syed Zeeshan Haider and attended by SP Traffic Majid Iqbal and zonal DSPs. 

According to the plan, entry of all types of heavy traffic into Islamabad will be prohibited from midnight on March 22, 2025, until 3 PM on March 23, 2025. 

From 6 AM to 1 PM on March 23, traffic will remain suspended in both directions on Srinagar Highway from Seventh Avenue to Korianwala Chowk. 

Traffic heading towards Bhara Kahu should use Seventh Avenue, Pak-China Road, Rawal Dam Chowk, Kashmir Chowk, and Club Road as alternative routes. 

Due to these diversions, congestion is expected on Srinagar Highway and Expressway, the ITP stated. 

Heavy traffic traveling from Peshawar to Lahore is advised to use the Taxila Motorway and Tarnol Phatak to Fateh Jang Motorway. 

Traffic coming from Lahore via GT Road towards Islamabad and Rawalpindi should use Chak Beli Road and Chakri Motorway. 

Similarly, commuters traveling from Peshawar via GT Road to Rawat should take the Taxila Motorway, Chakri, Chak Beli Road, and Rawat route. 

Those traveling from Lahore to Peshawar via GT Road should take Rawat, Chak Beli Road, Chakri, and Taxila Motorway. 

The CTO directed officials to ensure special traffic arrangements for Pakistan Day. He also instructed zonal DSPs to implement the alternative route plan effectively. 

He said that to assist commuters, ITP personnel will be deployed at various locations. In case of any inconvenience, the CTO urged citizens to contact the traffic helpline at 1915 or tune in to FM 92.4 for real-time updates. 

Citizens can also stay updated through ITP’s social media platforms for timely traffic advisories, he added.