Karachi Traffic Disruptions due to MWM Demonstrations over Parachinar Situation

Karachi, 2024 - Traffic disruptions continue to plague the city as Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) holds demonstrations across various areas in Karachi to protest the dire situation in Parachinar. The Parachinar situation has seen over 130 deaths, mainly children, due to a reported shortage of medicines, which the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has denied. Key roads such as University Road and M.A. Jinnah Road are currently closed.

Areas like Abul Hasan Isfahani, Super Highway, and Five Star Chowrangi are experiencing heavy traffic congestion, as commuters were forced to use alternative routes. National Highway near Malir 15 Bridge and Quaidabad Road are also affected. Demonstrations, which are staged at various locations including near Safari Park, Shahrah-e-Faisal, Kala Chapra, are blocking key roads and causing significant inconvenience to travelers.

MWM leader Allama Hassan Zafar Naqvi expressed urgency in a statement, warning that people in Parachinar were under siege and threatened to expand the demonstrations to every divisional headquarters of the country if the situation persists. Campaigning for immediate action, MWM chief Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jafri said Kurram Agency is facing a humanitarian crisis due to the inadequate supply of essential commodities like food and medicine. It is pertinent to note that the main road connecting Thall and Parachinar has been closed for an extended period, exacerbating the crisis.

Karachi Traffic Police have directed commuters to exercise patience as the demonstrations enter the second day. Demonstrations were held in solidarity with the Parachinar protesters in multiple cities across the country including Islamabad, Lahore, Jhang, and Muzaffarabad. Over seven locations in Karachi have seen protest sit-ins, greatly contributing to the traffic disruptions.

The ongoing situation continues to strain the already challenging traffic conditions in Karachi, as the authorities and concerned parties work towards a resolution to address the root causes of the protests.