City grinds to a halt as security lockdown enters day two

Protest fears seal US Consulate routes; key roads blocked, traffic diverted

KARACHI:

Major roads in the metropolis remained closed for a second consecutive day on Monday as heightened security measures around the United States Consulate continued to disrupt traffic across key commercial corridors.

According to Karachi Traffic Police, all routes leading to the United States Consulate General have been sealed amid security concerns and the threat of potential protests. Authorities have placed containers and other barricades at multiple points to restrict access.

The stretch from PIDC Chowk to MT Khan Road towards Sultanabad has been completely closed, with containers blocking traffic. Similarly, the road from Tower to Mai Kolachi has been shut, while access from Boat Basin to Mai Kolachi remains obstructed.

Commuters travelling from Bilawal House and Clifton towards Jinnah Bridge via Mai Kolachi have been advised to take an alternate route through Boat Basin to Teen Talwar, then proceed via Clifton Bridge, Metropole, and Fountain Chowk before turning left towards Shaheen Complex.

Motorists coming from ICI Chowk and Mauripur Road to Boat Basin can turn left from Jinnah Bridge onto II Chundrigar Road. Alternatively, travellers from ICI Chowk may use the route via Katiyana Memon Hospital to Nawab Mahabat Khanji Road. Those heading from Sharae Faisal towards Jinnah Bridge have been directed to turn right at PID and continue via Shaheen Complex and II Chundrigar Road.

While the road from PIDC Chowk to Ziauddin Road leading to CM House has been reopened after earlier closures, one track of Sharae Faisal from FTC towards Metropole remains closed for a second day. Traffic on that stretch is being diverted towards Saddar through a U-turn at Gora Qabristan.

Police said the measures were taken in response to security threats and the possibility of demonstrations. Despite the closures, traffic continued to move smoothly on other major arteries, including MA Jinnah Road, University Road, Defence Korangi Road, Shahrah-e-Pakistan, Rashid Minhas Road, Abul Hasan Isphahani Road, and the National Highway.

The ripple effects were felt beyond the roads, as several schools, colleges and universities in the vicinity remained closed due to security concerns, while many offices opted to work remotely. Some businesses, however, suspended operations altogether, adding to the sense of a city on edge.