Karachi Gears Up for Independence Day Event with Special Traffic Plan

by Faisal Raza
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Karachi Gears Up for Independence Day Event with Special Traffic Plan

Karachi’s National Bank Stadium will host tonight’s Independence Day celebrations under the theme Marka-e-Haq, and the city’s traffic police have rolled out a detailed plan to manage the expected rush.

The festivities, starting at 6 p.m., are expected to draw thousands of attendees, but the traffic buildup will likely begin an hour earlier. Authorities are warning that gridlocks on roads leading to the stadium could stretch well into the early hours, potentially until 2 a.m. Motorists are advised to steer clear of the Civic Centre–National Stadium corridor unless travel is essential.

Why Marka-e-Haq?

This year’s Independence Day carries a charged backdrop. The government designated the celebration as Marka-e-Haq — a nod to Pakistan’s military engagement with India earlier this year. The confrontation, sparked by the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, escalated into aerial battles that saw Pakistan down six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, along with dozens of drones.

Hostilities ended on May 10 after 87 tense hours, following a US-brokered ceasefire. Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal described the theme as a tribute to national resilience and unity in the face of conflict.

Parking & Entry Points

To handle the influx, only vehicles with official parking stickers will be allowed into the stadium, entering through Gates 1 and 11. Two major off-site parking facilities — at Expo Centre and China Ground — will also be in use:

  • From District Central: Park at Expo Centre (Gate 1) and use the shuttle service to the stadium.
  • From District South, East, and Malir: Access China Ground via Karsaz, New Town, or Rashid Minhas Road.

Alternate Routes for Non-Attendees

For those avoiding the celebrations:

  • Heading to Sharea Faisal from Liaquatabad or Hassan Square? Take University Road or Shaheed-e-Millat Road.
  • From Karsaz to Liaquatabad? Use Rashid Minhas Road and Nipa.
  • From Expo Centre towards Sharea Faisal? Opt for Shaheed-e-Millat Road.
  • Residents of East, Malir, South, and West can bypass congestion entirely via Lyari Expressway from Mirza Adam Khan Chowk to Sohrab Goth.

Restrictions on Heavy & Commercial Vehicles

Buses, minibuses, and commercial traffic will be diverted away from Karsaz, Drigh Road, Millennium Mall, Expo Centre, and New Town. Heavy vehicles will also be barred from key choke points including Sohrab Goth–Nipa, Liaquatabad No. 10–Hassan Square, and PP Chowrangi–University Road.

With a mix of patriotic fervor and heightened security measures, Karachi’s traffic police are bracing for one of the city’s busiest nights of the year — and urging citizens to plan their routes wisely.

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