KARACHI: Karachi’s residents are still grappling with severe traffic disruptions as protests continue across the city, with religious parties holding sit-ins at six locations, including key areas like Numaish Chowrangi, Abu al-Hasan Isfahani Road, Kamran Chowrangi, and Water Pump.
According to Karachi traffic police, these protests have resulted in significant blockages, halting traffic flow and causing immense inconvenience to commuters. Numaish Chowrangi has been completely closed to traffic, while major routes leading to Abu al-Hasan Isfahani Road and Abbas Town are also blocked. Additionally, Kamran Chowrangi to Mosmiyat Road and Water Pump to Incholi Road are obstructed, further compounding the city’s mobility issues.
While some roads remain clear, such as the route from Sohrab Goth to Water Pump and Banaras to Orangi Town, the ongoing closures continue to severely disrupt the city’s daily functioning.
The current protests are linked to the ongoing sit-ins by the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), which have entered their seventh day. The sit-ins began as a response to the humanitarian crisis caused by road blockages in Parachinar, which have isolated over 100 areas in Upper Kurram for nearly three months. The protests, aimed at drawing attention to the Parachinar blockade, have escalated into widespread disruptions across Karachi.
Since the sit-ins began, multiple key roads have been closed, causing delays in public services, flight cancellations, missed appointments, and major disruptions to businesses. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has criticized the protests, accusing the organizers of intentionally disrupting daily life, while Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has warned that the provincial government would intervene if the situation worsens.
In addition to the protests in Karachi, the MWM has organized sit-ins at various locations in Lahore, including Davis Road, which has also seen traffic blockages. The group’s demand to reopen the Tall-Parachinar Highway and address the Parachinar crisis, where shortages of food and medicine have claimed over 130 lives, continues to be the central issue of the protests.
While the Sindh government has made efforts to negotiate with the protesters, including addressing the traffic issues, the protests are set to continue, with no resolution in sight. Authorities urge commuters to remain patient and use alternative routes as they work towards resolving the situation.
