Traffic hurdles persist in Karachi as sit-ins against Parachinar killings continue

Traffic obstacles persisted for citizens of Karachi as protests entered their fifth day as sit-ins nationwide against deaths in Parachinar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram region continued on Saturday.

To show support for the people of Parachinar, who have been holding a sit-in since December 20 to protest the state of law and order and road closures, the religiopolitical Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) issued a nationwide appeal for protests.

The protests started following an event in Kurram’s Bagan area where two persons were waylaid on their way to Parachinar, slain, and then decapitated.

For the fifth day in a row, several sit-ins organized in response to MWM’s appeal persisted in Karachi today. The blockage of several key thoroughfares caused a traffic jam in all seven districts, which negatively impacted the lives of those involved.

Kurram also saw protests for an eighth day, according to a Dawn.com correspondent.

By Thursday, the MWM’s protests had spread to nearly the whole city of Karachi, and by 10 p.m. on Friday, there were 12 demonstrations taking place throughout the city. The Karachi Traffic Police said in a statement that they have added another point to the list today.

Officials, witnesses, and organizers said the sit-ins were still going on on the main M. A. Jinnah Road near Numaish, Abul Hasan Ispahani Road near Abbas Town, Five Star Chowrangi in North Nazimabad, University Road near Samama Shopping Centre, main Sharea Faisal near Star Gate, Korangi, Shamsuddin Azimi Road in Surjani Town, Shahrah-i-Pakistan near Ancholi, Kamran Chowrangi in Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Nawab Siddique Ali Khan Road near Nazimabad No. 1, main National Highway near Steel Town, and the Power House roundabout in North Karachi.

The main Sharea Faisal heading into the city from the Kala Chapra road was made open to traffic, according to a Karachi Traffic Police bulletin posted on its X. But the opposite side of the road was closed.

However, according to a Traffic Police report, Sharea Faisal’s closure caused traffic on Drigh Road to move “slowly.”

“Both roads leading to the Millennium side of Dright Road and the Karsaz side of Dright Road are experiencing slow traffic,” the message said.

Police are on the site and directing traffic, it was noted.

Long lines of automobiles, trucks, trailers, and other vehicles were visible on practically every city road until late at night, despite the traffic police having rerouted vehicular traffic to alternate routes yesterday.

Meanwhile, since last week, the MWM Lahore wing, which includes Lahore President Najam Khan, Punjab President Allama Akbar Ali Kazmi, and Vice Chairman Allama Ahmad Iqbal Rizvi, has been protesting outside the Lahore Press Club.

A demonstration was held in Rawalpindi on Friday by the Tehreek-i-Nifaz-i-Fiqh-i-Jafariya (TNFJ) Regional Council, which marched from Liaquat Bagh Chowk to Committee Chowk on Murree Road.

The “Day of Martyrs and the Oppressed” was observed in Rawalpindi in response to TNFJ leader Allama Agha Syed Hussain Maqdisi’s demand to denounce the rapidly worsening and dismal circumstances. Following Friday services, protest rallies were staged in major mosques throughout the nation.

At least 130 people have been killed in deadly tribal conflicts that stem from decades-old property disputes. The confrontations began last month after an attack on a truck killed 52 passengers.

Kurram residents have complained about food and medication shortages, stating that several children have died as a result. Since the KP government started helicopter service, 613 people have been evacuated out of the district.