Twin cities' authorities issue traffic diversions ahead of Azadi March's arrival.

Islamabad -- On the eve of the arrival of Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl's Azadi March, Islamabad and Rawalpindi's administrations and traffic police have planned extensive traffic diversions and routes that the marchers will take on the way to their venue in H-9.

Half of the capital appeared to have been sealed using shipping containers and barbed wire on Wednesday, deepening confusion among capital residents when they saw a number of the city's main arteries partially closed.

The march is likely to enter the capital today (Thursday) evening, but the administration and police began sealing the city a day prior. They placed containers on various roads, including around the Red Zone and the Faizabad and Zero Point interchanges.

The police said: 'Roads leading towards the Red Zone are blocked as a precaution to counter any moves by JUI-F's Azadi March to reach sensitive areas.'

The roads so far have been partially sealed, with little space left open for traffic. Vehicle can move through the space one at a time, but the placement may cause congestion during routine traffic.

The Islamabad Traffic Police (ITP) on Wednesday also issued a plan for participants of the march as well as the diversions in place for citizens.

The main gathering will be at the H-9 Metro Ground, and the parking area has been specified for the march participants.

Rallies coming from Peshawar via the motorway or the G.T. Road will come from Chungi No.26 via Kashmir Highway, and will park their vehicles on both sides of the Peshawar Mor and G-9 turn.

Rallies coming from Lahore via the G.T. Road will use the Islamabad Expressway, and those coming from Murree or Bhara Kahu will reach Faizabad via the Dhoke Kala Khan flyover and approach 9th Avenue Chowk, from where they will reach the venue. Their vehicles will be parked on the 9th Avenue Service Road (West).

The ITP has said there will be a traffic diversion from Chungi No.26 to Islamabad, and people coming to Islamabad from the motorway may take the Chungi No.26 flyover to Mehrabad Pirwadhai, I.J. Principal Road, Faizabad flyover, Murree Road, Expressway and Faisal Avenue.

There will also be a diversion on Kashmir Highway in G-11 towards Islamabad. Traffic will be diverted towards Mehrabad I.J. Principal Road at Haji Camp Chowk.

Those heading to the Peshawar motorway or Islamabad International Airport from G-9, G-10 and G-11 can use service road near their sectors and use Kashmir Highway through the G-11 traffic signal.

Those...