KARACHI, PAKISTAN – Commuters traveling through Karachi’s eastern industrial and residential corridors need to re-plan their weekend journeys. The Karachi Traffic Police has announced a temporary, full closure of both carriageways on the Malir River Bridge on the National Highway.
The 12-hour daily closures are required to facilitate safe, rapid development and construction work directly linked to the massive, under-construction Malir Expressway project.
Critical 12-Hour Daily Closures: July 18 & 19
According to an official notification released by the Karachi Traffic Police Department, the closure will be tightly enforced within the jurisdiction of the Malir City Traffic Section.
Motorists should plan around the following schedule to avoid getting caught in gridlock:
- Dates: Saturday, July 18, and Sunday, July 19, 2026.
- Timings: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Both days).
- Affected Area: Both sides (incoming and outgoing traffic lanes) of the Malir River Bridge on the main National Highway.
Read more: Karachi DIG Traffic Explains E-Challans and Vehicle Blacklisting
Official Diversion Plan: Detours & Alternative Routes
To minimize traffic chaos on one of Karachi’s busiest logistics arteries, traffic authorities have deployed a special diversion plan. Motorists are urged to use the designated routes:
- Commuters coming from Quaidabad: Instead of heading straight onto the bridge, drivers must take a U-turn on the Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Expressway and navigate through Malir City to reach their destinations.
- Commuters approaching from Malook Hotel: Traffic coming from this side of the National Highway should route beneath the Malir River Bridge and proceed smoothly toward the Steel Mills area.
Pro-Tip for Commuters: Traffic police personnel will be stationed heavily along the detours to guide drivers. For real-time updates while driving, tune into Sindh Police FM Radio 88.6 or call the helpline at 1915 for immediate assistance.
The Bigger Picture: Phase 1 of Malir Expressway Nears Completion
This temporary disruption comes as the Sindh government pushes hard to meet a critical infrastructure deadline. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah recently directed teams to fast-track development, ordering the official completion of the Malir Expressway’s First Phase by August 14, 2026.
Once completely operational, the 38.6-kilometer signal-free corridor will completely revolutionize Karachi’s internal transit network. It connects the center of the city directly to the outskirts, cutting down travel time significantly for cargo vehicles and daily office-goers alike.
Read more: Karachi Traffic Police Plan Ban on Rickshaws Across the City
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