Lawyers' protest causes massive traffic jam

Block Korangi Road over refusal of police to register FIR

KARACHI:

A protest by the lawyers on Korangi Road near Kala Pul caused a six-hour traffic jam on the major traffic artery of the city causing immense problems for the people traveling from other city areas towards DHA, Mahmoodabad and Korangi.

Around 3pm a large number of lawyers gathered near Kala Pul, Korangi Road against non-registration of FIR by Mehmoodabad police.

The protest disrupted traffic on Korangi Road, Sharea Faisal and other link roads for hours. Initially the traffic police failed to divert the traffic to alternative routes which caused immense traffic jams and long queues of vehicles on Sharea Faisal, Baloch Colony Expressway, DHA Phase II and surrounding areas but later they were able to divert traffic from the CSD signal towards Jinnah Hospital, and Sunset Boulevard Signal to Punjab Chowrangi.

The lawyers were protesting over non-registration of case against 'torture on their fellow lawyer and his family' but the Mahmoodabad police station SHO refused to entertain their request. The protesters demanded the removal of SHO Mehmoodabad police station.

The angry lawyers called in their supporters and blocked the main Korangi Road at 3pm with a sit-in that ended at 9pm. Motorists faced immense difficulties. Traffic congestions were the highest at FTC, Qayyumabad Chowrangi, Shaheed-e-Millat Flyover, Baloch Colony Expressway, Korangi Causeway, DHA Phase II and surrounding areas.

Women, children and patients were left exasperated by the protest. During the protest, some unknown individuals also burnt tyres which aggravated the situation.

Later, according to a statement released by spokesperson for Sindh Home Department, the lawyers ended the protest after getting assurance from Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar. The minister said that the legitimate demands of the lawyers will be met, and he along with the law minister will soon have a meeting with a delegation of lawyers in this regard.

Following the protest on Korangi Road and the subsequent closure of the FTC Flyover on Shahrae Faisal, where tires were set on fire, the Mehmoodabad police have registered a case based on the complaint from lawyers. The case includes both named suspects and unidentified accomplices.