- After Kurram Jirga decision, sit-ins should end: government spokesperson
- The Sindh government asks the MWM to move the sit-ins to the street in front of the press club.
- Sit-ins against Parachinar killings continue at 14 places in Karachi.
As protest sit-ins by religious political party Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) continued in parts of Karachi over deadly tensions in Parachinar, the Sindh government on Sunday appealed to religious scholars to help end the the demonstrations.
“[A] The jirga has decided on the Kurram issue. […] Now the sit-in protests in Karachi should end,” Sindh government spokesperson Sadia Javed said in a televised statement aired this afternoon.
Travel has become a nightmare for many citizens as traffic gets congested at different points and travelers have to take detours, further aggravating the traffic situation on other arteries.
The protest demonstrations, which last six consecutive days, are taking place in 14 different locations, including main communication routes.
Apart from other areas, protests are currently taking place at Numaish Chowrangi, Natha Khan Bridge in Sharea Faisal, opposite KDA Flats in Surjani Town, Golimar, Power House Chowrangi, near Safari Park on University Road, Korangi No. 2½ , Five. Star Chowrangi in North Nazimabad, Abul Hassan Isphani Road, Kamran Chowrangi in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Incholi Society and near Ayesha Manzil.
The traffic police, however, said that alternative routes have been planned to facilitate movement of commuters.
The protests arise from the deteriorating security situation in Parachinar, where clashes have led to more than 130 deaths since November, the point of the recent escalation of the conflict between two tribal groups.
In today’s statement, the Sindh government spokesperson urged the Protestant party to “realize the sufferings of the citizens of Karachi” who are facing serious problems due to road closures.
He noted that life in Karachi has come to a standstill due to the protests, adding that even ambulances have had problems reaching certain areas.
“If you [protesters] They want to continue with the sit-ins, move it to a piece of land or [road] outside the Press Club,” Javed added, assuring the government’s willingness to facilitate the facilities.
Karachi police chief meets MWM leaders
Meanwhile, Karachi Police Chief Javed Alam Odho and Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi visited the protest site on MA Jinnah Main Road near Numaish.
During their visit, they also met with the leaders of the political-religious party to hold talks.
The police chief urged the Protestant party to limit their sit-in to Drigh Road as commuters faced immense problems.
Meanwhile, at a press conference, MWM leader Hassan Zafar Naqvi said the protests were peaceful in nature, adding: “Our sit-ins are free of sectarianism and open to people of all backgrounds. People are joining from various areas of life.
Despite the prolonged demonstration, Hassan clarified that the participants did not present any specific demands for the negotiations. “We are not here to push any demand; our protest is a testimony of our position and principles,” he said.
He said they are ready to end the sit-ins in Karachi if the Parachinar protest is cancelled. “We have organized these sit-ins at the request of Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and we will end them as per his instructions,” he added.
Talking about the challenges faced by Parachinar, Hassan highlighted that the region is grappling with basic problems.
Even helicopters lack fuel and gas to operate effectively, he stressed, underlining the urgent need to pay attention to these problems.
The MWM leader reaffirmed the peaceful nature of the demonstrations and their purpose. “Our protests are non-violent and aim to raise our voices against all forms of oppression,” he said.
However, he expressed concern about the negative propaganda circulating against his sit-ins. “There is a deliberate campaign to smear our peaceful protests,” Hassan added.
He warned the Sindh government not to exploit the ongoing protests for political gains. He clarified that it was not a protest organized by any political party. Rather, it is a protest for the oppressed, and people from all walks of life participate in it, he added.
“If we call sit-ins all over Sindh, the government will not be able to stop them,” the MWM leader added, hinting at the growing circle of protests.
Reiterating the peaceful and inclusive nature of the demonstrations, Hassan stated that their protests have not disrupted daily life.
“We have kept one lane open at each protest site, ensuring that no businesses are affected,” he said.
A day earlier, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab criticized the continued road blockades in Karachi “under the guise of protest”, saying it was an inappropriate act.
The mayor also reprimanded protesters for damaging newly built roads. “Who allowed them to damage the recently constructed roads in New Karachi,” he said, speaking to reporters.
Murtaza said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government should resolve the Parachinar issue. However, he added, blocking the arteries would not serve that purpose. He lamented that if something happens in any part of the country, demonstrations are organized and roads are closed in Karachi.
Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah appealed to the protesters to avoid causing hardship to the public and said, “Blocking roads in Karachi and Sukkur will not resolve the Parachinar issue.”
Parachinar, situated in Kurram, is a tribal district near the Afghan border with a population of around 600,000. It has long been a focus of conflict.
The recent clashes have sparked a humanitarian crisis, with shortages of medicine and oxygen exacerbated by the closure of the highway connecting Parachinar to Peshawar.
In a relief effort, the Sindh governor’s office announced that a helicopter carrying medical supplies and other aid had arrived in Parachinar. These provisions were sent on the directive of the Sindh Governor to address the growing crisis.
