The Punjab government has launched a free electric shuttle service for participants attending the annual international Tablighi Ijtema in Raiwind on the instructions of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.
According to the Punjab government, the free shuttle service will operate between Sui Asal Railway Crossing and the Ijtema venue from November 5 to 8, 2026, facilitating the movement of participants travelling to and from the religious gathering.
Four electric buses have been deployed for the service, allowing participants to travel to the Ijtema venue free of charge.
The initiative aims to ease transportation difficulties, provide convenient travel facilities and ensure smooth access to the gathering for thousands of participants.
Meanwhile, Lahore police have introduced extensive security arrangements for the first phase of the Raiwind Tablighi Ijtema, deploying more than 3,000 police officers and personnel to ensure the safety of participants.
Authorities also implemented a special traffic plan on Sunday, November 8, with several major roads leading to Raiwind closed to traffic between 6am and 1pm.
Chief Traffic Officer Abdul Rahim Sherazi said traffic heading towards Raiwind city and the Ijtema venue remained suspended during the designated hours to facilitate arrangements for the religious gathering.
In a separate development, earlier, the Punjab government has declared Monday, November 9, a public holiday across the province to mark the birth anniversary of national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
The Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) issued a notification on Thursday, November 5, confirming the holiday.
The decision means employees who normally have Sundays off will enjoy two consecutive holidays.
Those who also have Saturdays off will have a three-day break from November 7 to 9.
According to the notification, the holiday will be observed across Punjab in line with a circular issued by the federal Cabinet Division on November 5.
The provincial government has also directed that the announcement be published in major English and Urdu newspapers and publicised through electronic media.
