Karachiites’ traffic woes continue on seventh day of MWM protests



A view of massive traffic jam at Karachis Sharea Faisal at Drigh Road, due to MWM sit-in protest on December 28, 2024. — Online
 A view of massive traffic jam at Karachi’s Sharea Faisal at Drigh Road, due to MWM sit-in protest on December 28, 2024. — Online

KARACHI: The ongoing sit-ins by religious-political party Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) over the Parachinar crisis have entered their the seventh day, causing severe traffic disruptions for residents of the port city.

Government statements, meanwhile, have failed to alleviate the road closures plaguing Karachi residents. Citizens face restricted movement, with businesses and wedding ceremonies disrupted, and incidents of missed flights and trains continuing.

Two days back, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had said that the provincial government would act if public inconvenience increased. Yesterday, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab remarked that the purpose of these sit-ins was to paralyse daily life and disrupt businesses, which it is the state’s responsibility to prevent.

Later, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Shazia Marri suggested protesters hold sit-ins in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa instead of Karachi, yet no progress has been made in reopening the roads.

The MWM is currently holding sit-ins at 14 locations. MA Jinnah Road and Numaish Chowrangi remained closed, while sections of Shahrah-e-Pakistan were blocked at Ayesha Manzil and Ancholi.

On the National Highway, one track near Malir Flyover was shut down. Protests also led to road closures at Golimar, Five Star Chowrangi, Powerhouse Chowrangi, and outside KDA Flats in Surjani.

Further sit-ins disrupted traffic on Abul Hasan Ispahani Road near Abbas Town, University Road near Safari Park, and Kamran Chowrangi in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

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