Mobile phone services in Karachi have been temporarily blocked as part of tight security precautions for Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi’s visit to the city.
According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), cellular services would be unavailable on a select designated routes in Karachi from 3 p.m. on April 23 to 8 a.m. on April 24 due to directions from the Ministry of Interior.
Mobile phone services have been halted on specified routes to safeguard President Raisi’s security. “This decision is being taken to ensure the security of the dignitary’s visit to Karachi,” the Pakistan Tourism Authority (PTA) announced.
Major thoroughfares in Karachi have been blocked to traffic as part of security precautions ahead of the arrival of the Iranian President. The city’s traffic police shared an alternate traffic strategy with commuters.
According to a traffic police spokeswoman, both tracks of Sharea Faisal from Jinnah Airport to Pakistan Industrial Development Corporation (PIDC) would be blocked to traffic, as will routes from Sharea Faisal to Sharea Quaideen and Gurumandir.
Both tracks of Dr Ziauddin Road (Ziauddin Bridge and Lily Bridge) from the Lily signal to the Shaheen Complex in Khajoor Chowk are blocked to traffic today. The official further stated that both tracks of MA Jinnah Road, from Gurumandir to Garden Chowk (Aman Tower), will remain blocked to traffic today.
Passengers traveling via I.I. Chundrigarh Road, Tower, and Kemari West to the airport are advised to take Mauripur Road and Lyari Expressway via Superhighway Malir Cantt No.6 Check Post.
Maria Ghanchi