MWM Karachi sit-in enters day 7, causing traffic chaos
Govt unable to resolve sit-ins; Karachi residents face severe travel, business disruptions
- MWM protests block 14 key roads, crippling Karachi’s daily commute.
- Chief minister, mayor criticise protests; no relief for public yet.
- Major routes affected include Shahrah-e-Pakistan, MA Jinnah Road.
KARACHI: The religious-political party Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) continued its protest sit-ins over the Parachinar crisis for the seventh consecutive day, causing severe traffic disruptions for residents of the metropolis.
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.
