On Monday, Karachi was paralyzed by ongoing protests, with sit-ins held at 13 locations across the city, in response to the situation in Kurram. These Karachi protests led to severe traffic congestion, significantly delaying commutes. Routes that typically take a short time to navigate were reduced to hours-long journeys, frustrating commuters who called on the government to address the issue as the gridlock severely impacted daily life.
Major Roads Affected
Key roads in Karachi, such as MA Jinnah Road, University Road, Kamran Chowrangi, and Johar Mor, were blocked due to the protests, creating havoc for motorists and pedestrians. Karachi Traffic Police reported significant disruptions, although some major routes were eventually cleared. Shahrah-e-Faisal (Kala Chapra towards the Airport) and the Main National Highway (Malir 15, Bridge Chaudhary towards Quaidabad) were reopened, but other roads remained closed, with diversions in place.
Alternative Routes for Commuters
For those traveling in affected districts, several roads were blocked with diversions implemented to manage the traffic flow. In District East, for example, M.A. Jinnah Road was closed, with drivers diverted through areas like 45 Congress, PP Chowrangi, and Soldier Bazaar. Similarly, in District Malir, Abul Hassan Isphahani Road near Abbas Town was closed, with traffic rerouted via Paradise Bakery and Faria Chowk.
Purpose of the Karachi Protests
The Karachi protests were organized by prominent political and religious leaders, calling for justice for the victims in Kurram, a region grappling with sectarian violence and a lack of basic services. Allama Hassan Zafar Naqvi, a key figure in the protests, emphasized that the demonstrations were peaceful and non-political, meant to show solidarity with the people of Kurram. He also urged the provincial government to act quickly, warning that they were prepared to end the sit-ins if their demands were met.The Karachi protests also caused a disruption in the transportation of goods, affecting business operations and the movement of essential supplies. The situation in the city remained tense, with many questioning how long the protests would last and what steps the government would take to resolve the issue.
