Thousands get stuck in traffic jam

Ambulances, school vans held up for hours

KARACHI:

Thousands of commuters were stuck on the city’s main thoroughfare - Sharae Faisal - after the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) activists blocked both sides of the road while protesting against the PPP-led Sindh government.

An hours-long gridlock was reported on the port city’s main artery and surrounding areas, with ambulances, school vans, commuters and other vehicles at a standstill as protestors marched towards the Karachi Press Club from Finance and Trade Centre (FTC).

However, the destination was changed by party leaders and the protesters reached Chief Minister House, where a sit-in was staged.

Other areas affected by the protest are Saddar, Hotel Metropole, II Chundrigar, Karachi Press Club Road, Kala Pul and airport road.

The logjam also severely disrupted the routes taken to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (JPMC) by patients and attendees.

Traffic police were unable to resolve the traffic situation and some vehicle owners reportedly ran out of fuel while waiting for the traffic to start moving.

Frustrated citizens said political parties should not protest on the main thoroughfares of the city and urged Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to take action against such activities.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 27^th, 2022.