ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): Protest rallies are scheduled across major cities of Pakistan on the occasion of Youm e Quds on Friday, which will likely disrupt traffic.
In this regard, a protest rally will be organised in Islamabad from the shrine of Sakhi Mahmood Badshah in Aabpara. A major rally is expected near G-6 (Markaz) and is likely to move toward D-Chowk.
Meanwhile, in Rawalpindi, a protest rally arranged by the TNFJ Youm-e-Quds rally will start from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain, Teli Mohalla.
Due to the protest rally, Red Zone entry will be open only from Margalla Road and near the Marriott Hotel. All other entrances are expected to remain closed to prevent rallies from entering the diplomatic enclave.
Fazal-E-Haq Road toward China Chowk will also remain closed. Commuters are advised to use Jinnah Avenue or 7th Avenue.
In Lahore, large processions are expected from Islampura toward the Lower Mall. Heavy congestion is expected around Mall Road, Data Darbar, and the Walled City.
Karachi traffic plan
The Duds Day rally will be organised from Exhibition to Aman Tower in Karachi, according to the traffic police. Due to the rally, traffic on M.A. Jinnah Road is likely to be affected by the procession.
Traffic police advised citizens to take alternative routes instead of M.A. Jinnah Road as the thoroughfare will be blocked with containers from Numaish Chowrangi to Tower starting early Friday morning.
The police said that traffic coming from Teen Hatti to Tower will be diverted to Guru Mandir, Soldier Bazaar, and Bahadur Jang Road.
Traffic coming from Nazimabad should take Lasbela, Nishtar Road, and Rasool Hospital, while traffic coming from Fresco and Eidgah Chowk will be diverted to Regal from Tibet Chowk.
Traffic going from Jubilee to Exhibition should take Agha Khan 3rd Road and Soldier Bazaar. Meanwhile, traffic coming from Preddy Chowk will be diverted to Saddar Dawakhana, P.P. Chowrangi, and Regal Chowk.
Traffic going from Garden to Zaibunnisa Street should use Agha Khan 3rd Road and Bahadur Jang Road.
Public holiday on Youm-e-Quds
The district administration on Thursday declared a public holiday in all educational institutions on Friday, March 13, on the occasion of International Al Quds Day.
In a notification issued on Thursday, the Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon notified that all public and private educational institutions will remain closed on March 13.
“March 13, 2026 (Friday) shall be observed as a public holiday for all educational institutions, both public and private, including schools, colleges, and universities, located within the revenue limits of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT),” the notification stated.
Earlier, the Sindh government also declared a provincewide public holiday for Jumat-ul-Wida, which marks the final Friday of Ramazan and Youm-e-Quds.
The public holiday for Jumat-ul-Wida will apply to government offices and various public institutions throughout Sindh.
The public holiday for Jumat-ul-Wida in Sindh serves to help worshippers who need to attend the large prayer gatherings, according to Provincial Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah.
