Traffic plan to avoid gridlocks on Nawaz, Maryam’s return

–Ring road to be closed for traffic besides main intersections across city

LAHORE: In view of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) supreme leader Nawaz Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz’s return, Punjab caretaker government on Thursday took various measures to avert any untoward incident, which include blocking of various main intersections as well as routes leading to the Allama Iqbal International Airport and the Lahore Ring Road.

According to the devised traffic plan, traffic coming from Islamabad will enter Lahore via motorway through Thokar Niaz Baig, Qizilbash Chowk and Shaukat Khanum Chowk.

The traffic from GT Road will enter the city via Kala Shah Kaku through Thokar Niaz, while that from Kala Khatai Road will enter via Shahdara Chowk, Begum Kot, and Faizpur Interchange through the motorway.

Traffic from Multan Road will enter via Bund Road and Mohlanwal Road.

Moulana Shaukat Ali Road, Main Boulevard Johar Town, Shaukat Khanum, Qizilbash Chowk, Motorway Interchange or Multan Road will be open for traffic exiting the city.

As the ousted premier will be landing at the Allama Iqbal International Airport, all routes leading there will also be closed for traffic and the people, having flights to catch, will have to reach at least six hours prior to the departure time.

They will then be transported to the airport via a shuttle service that will be provided from Bhatta Chowk, Chungi Dogaij, Gajjumata, Mehfooz Park and Niazi Shaheed Park.

It merits mention that Nawaz and Maryam are returning home following their conviction by the National Accountancy Bureau (NAB) in the Avenfield Reference Case. Both the PML-N supremo and his daughter have been awarded ten and seven years in prison, respectively, while Nawaz’s son-in-law, Capt (r) Safdar, has been sentenced for one year.