Karachi was gridlocked on Monday as protest sit-ins against the situation in Kurram continued at 13 locations across the city.
The ongoing protests caused major delays, with short commutes taking several hours. Commuters expressed frustration and urged the government to address the issue as the traffic jams have severely disrupted daily life.
According to the Karachi Traffic Police, key roads such as MA Jinnah Road, University Road, Kamran Chowrangi, Johar Mor and others were paralysed due to the sit-ins.
However, the following roads have reopened:
- Shahrah-e-Faisal (Kala Chapra towards Airport)
- Main National Highway (Malir 15, Bridge Chaudhary towards Quaidabad)
Other major routes remain closed, with the following traffic diversions in place:
District East
- M.A. Jinnah Road (Numaish Chowrangi) – Closed.
- Alternative: Diverted via 45 Congress, PP Chowrangi, Soldier Bazaar, and Corridor 3.
- Kamran Chowrangi – Closed.
- Alternative: Diverted via Musimiat, University Road, and Manwar Chowrangi.
- Johar Mor and Johar Chowrangi roads – Closed.
- Alternative: Diverted via Nipa and Perfume Chowk.
- Gulistan-e-Johar (Blocks 19 & 20) – Closed.
- Alternative: Diverted via Nipa, returning traffic directed via Johar Mor.
- Safari Chowrangi (Near Noor Ilahi Hotel) – Closed.
- Alternative: Diverted via Safora to Kiran Hospital.
District Malir
Abul Hassan Isphahani Road (Near Abbas Town) – Closed.
Alternative: Diverted via Paradise Bakery, Faria Chowk, and Service Road towards Punjab Adda.
District Central
- Five Star Chowrangi – Closed.
- Alternative: Diverted via service road.
- University Road (Near Metro Shopping Center) – Closed.
- Alternative: Diverted to inner areas.
- Shamsuddin Azimi Road (Near KDA Flats) – Closed.
- Alternative: Diverted via Total Petrol Pump and Service Road.
- Ancholi Shahrah-e-Pakistan (Near Sohrab Goth) – Closed.
- Alternative: Diverted via Water Pump Chowrangi and Cardio Hospital.
- Nawab Siddiq Ali Khan Road (Nazimabad) – Closed.
- Alternative: Diverted via Lasbela to Teen Hatti.
- Powerhouse Chowrangi (Nagan to 4K Fazl-e-Ilahi Road) – Closed.
- Alternative: Diverted via Shell Pump and Service Road.
- Shahrah-e-Pakistan (Ayesha Manzil) – Closed.
- Alternative: Diverted via IRC, Ayesha Manzil Bridge, Macca Chowk, and local roads.
The protests, led by prominent political and religious leaders, have been marked by calls for justice for the victims in Kurram, where several socio-political issues, including sectarian violence and lack of basic services, have been cited as the main causes.
In a press conference on the same day, Allama Hassan Zafar Naqvi, a leader of the Majlis Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen, emphasised that their protest was peaceful and non-political, asserting that the sit-ins were a demonstration of solidarity with the people of Kurram. He also warned the provincial government not to politicize the issue for its own gains.
"The protests are peaceful, and our demands are clear. If the people of Parachinar can end their sit-in, we are also ready to end ours.
But the government must act swiftly," Allama Zafar Naqvi said during a media briefing at the city's Numaish Chowrangi sit-in, attended by various religious figures and community leaders.
The situation in Karachi has become increasingly untenable for daily commuters, with many reporting that what should have been short trips turned into long, frustrating delays.
Some goods transport vehicles have also been caught in the mess, further disrupting business operations and the movement of essential supplies.
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