Police would block major roads in Karachi till 7pm, said the DIG, as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi arrives in the city on the second day of his trip to Pakistan.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and other dignitaries would receive the Iranian president at the Karachi airport.

Thousands of policemen have been deployed on the route taken by Raisi and the places where ceremonies would be held in his honour, while a local holiday has been declared in the city.

According to police, both sides of the Shahrah-e-Faisal track from the airport to the PIDC would be blocked. Earlier, they announced that the track would be closed from 3pm to 5pm, but later they changed the duration.

Similarly, both sides of the track from Gurumandir to Garden Signal would be blocked. Shahrah-e-Quaideen and Ziauddin Road are also blocked. Traffic would remain suspended until the visitors leave to remain in the city.

There were reports of mobile services suspended in some areas of the city.

Movenpick Hotel will be under government control from April 22nd to 24th, with all bookings during this period cancelled and shops within the hotel closed.

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The University of Karachi would award an honorary doctorate, PhD, to the Iran’s president at a ceremony.

Citizens are advised to plan their travel accordingly and expect potential delays. The authorities have assured that these security measures are temporary and will be lifted once the president’s visit concludes.