One of Karachi’s busiest roads, Shahrah-e-Faisal, will be closed to all vehicular traffic from 2 am to 5 am on Saturday and Monday, according to a statement issued by the city’s traffic police. The closures coincide with logistical measures following the conclusion of IDEAS-2024, the 12th edition of the International Defence Exhibition and Seminar, held at the Karachi Expo Centre.
The four-day event concluded on Friday, attracting over 350 high-level delegations from 55 countries, including the US, China, Russia, Turkiye, Iran, and the UK. The exhibition featured 560 defence manufacturers, of which 333 were international. Turkiye and China led in participation, while Iran and Italy joined the event for the first time.
Alternative Traffic Routes
To minimize public inconvenience, alternative routes have been outlined:
- Nursery to Karasaz and Airport Traffic: Vehicles will be diverted from the Baloch Colony Bridge to Shaheed Millat Road.
- Stadium Road Access: Restrictions apply from University Road and Shah Suleman Road. Commuters can use Jail Chowrangi Flyover and Shaheed Millat Road.
- Liaquatabad to Stadium: Traffic via Hassan Square Bridge will be halted. Drivers should take Stadium Road to Nipa and Rashid Minhas Road.
- Drigh Road Alternative: Commuters heading to Nipa or the Millenium area can use Drigh Road to Rashid Minhas Road.
The traffic police emphasized the importance of planning trips accordingly to avoid disruptions during the restricted hours.