Karachi came to a standstill on Monday as protest sit-ins against the situation in Kurram continued at 13 places in the city.
The ongoing protests caused significant delays, with short journeys taking several hours. Commuters expressed frustration and urged the government to address the problem as traffic jams have severely disrupted daily life.
According to Karachi Traffic Police, key roads like MA Jinnah Road, University Road, Kamran Chowrangi, Johar Mor and others were paralyzed due to the sit-ins.
However, the following roads have been reopened:
- Shahrah-e-Faisal (Kala Chapra towards airport)
- Main National Highway (Malir 15, Chaudhary Bridge towards Quaidabad)
Other major routes remain closed, with the following traffic detours:
Eastern District
- MA Jinnah Road (Numaish Chowrangi) – Closed.
- Alternative: Detoured via 45th Congress, PP Chowrangi, Soldier Bazaar and Corridor 3.
- Kamran Chowrangi – Closed.
- Alternative: Detoured via Musimiat, University Road and Manwar Chowrangi.
- Johar Mor and Johar Chowrangi roads – Closed.
- Alternative: Detoured via Nipa and Perfume Chowk.
- Gulistan-e-Johar (Blocks 19 and 20) – Closed.
- Alternative: Diverted via Nipa, return traffic directed via Johar Mor.
- Safari Chowrangi (near Noor Ilahi Hotel) – Closed.
- Alternative: Detoured via Safora to Kiran Hospital.
Malir District
Abul Hassan Isphahani road (near Abbas town): closed.
Alternative: Detour via Paradise Bakery, Faria Chowk and Service Road towards Punjab Adda.
Central District
- Five Star Chowrangi: Closed.
- Alternative: Detour via service road.
- University Road (Near Metro Mall) – Closed.
- Alternative: Diverted to interior areas.
- Shamsuddin Azimi Road (near KDA Flats) – Closed.
- Alternative: Detoured via Total Petrol Pump and Service Road.
- Ancholi Shahrah-e-Pakistan (near Sohrab Goth) – Closed.
- Alternative: Diverted via Chowrangi Water Pump and Cardio Hospital.
- Nawab Siddiq Ali Khan Road (Nazimabad) – Closed.
- Alternative: Detoured via Lasbela to Teen Hatti.
- Powerhouse Chowrangi (Nagan to 4K Fazl-e-Ilahi Road) – Closed.
- Alternative: Detoured via Shell Pump and Service Road.
- Shahrah-e-Pakistan (Ayesha Manzil) – Closed.
- Alternative: Detoured 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 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, leader of the Majlis Wahdat-ul-Muslimeen, emphasized that their protest was peaceful and apolitical, stating 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 benefit.
“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 quickly,” Allama Zafar Naqvi said during a press conference at the Numaish Chowrangi sit-in in the city, which was attended by several religious figures and community leaders.
The situation in Karachi has become increasingly untenable for commuters, with many reporting that what should have been short trips have turned into long, frustrating delays.
Some goods transport vehicles were also caught in the disaster, further disrupting business operations and the movement of essential supplies.
