Expanded Sit-Ins in Karachi Over Parachinar Killings: Traffic Authorities Issue Alternative Route Plans

The ongoing sit-ins organized by the Majlis Wehdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) over the killings in Parachinar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district, have extended to Karachi, causing significant disruptions. The protests, originally held in solidarity with the people of Parachinar who have been staging demonstrations for six consecutive days, have spread to major locations in Karachi, including MA Jinnah Road, Abbas Town, Malir, and the National Highway. The demonstrations come in response to violent clashes in Parachinar that have claimed over 100 lives since late November.

In light of the escalating protests, Karachi’s traffic police have issued detailed alternative route plans to minimize inconvenience for commuters.

Traffic Disruptions and Alternative Routes

Key roads in Karachi have been closed due to the protests, with traffic being diverted to alternative routes to manage the flow.

1. MA Jinnah Road:

• Closed to traffic; vehicles are being redirected to Congress 45, Peoples Chowrangi, and Guru Mandir to Soldier Bazar.

2. Society Signal:

• Traffic from Society Signal is being diverted to Corridor Three, including Britto Road, Soldier Bazar, and Gurumandir.

3. Abbas Town:

• Due to road closures near Abbas Town, traffic from Abu al-Hassan Isfani Road toward Super Highway is restricted.

• Vehicles are being diverted from Paradise Bakery to Faria Chowk and through inner streets as alternative routes.

4. Five Star Chowrangi:

• Completely closed; service roads are being used as alternatives.

5. University Road:

• Closed from Metro Shopping Center to Samama and Nepa. Traffic is being redirected to inner streets.

6. Shahrah-e-Faisal:

• Closed at Kala Chapra; vehicles coming from Madam Signal are being redirected to Shah Faisal Colony Bridge and Shah Faisal Colony.

7. Drug Road:

• Traffic from the city is being diverted to Rashid Minhas Road. Vehicles from Millennium are being redirected from Drug Road back into the city.

8. Malir 15 Bridge:

• Closed near the National Highway from Quaidabad.

• Traffic is being diverted from Malir Halt to Model Colony, Manzil Pump to Younus Chowrangi, and Dawood Chowrangi to the Industrial Area.

Background of the Protests

The demonstrations are in response to a tragic incident last month in Kurram Agency, where dozens of people were killed in an attack on passenger vehicles. Armed men fired upon two buses—one travelling from Peshawar to Parachinar and the other from Parachinar to Peshawar—resulting in multiple fatalities.

MWM’s nationwide call for protests aims to express solidarity with the victims and demand justice for the violent clashes. In Karachi, the extension of protests has caused significant disruptions, prompting the traffic police to take swift measures to manage the situation.

Appeal to Commuters

The traffic authorities have urged commuters to follow the alternative route plans and cooperate with the authorities to ensure smoother traffic flow. While the protests continue, residents are advised to stay updated through official traffic updates and avoid areas heavily affected by sit-ins.

The situation remains dynamic, with further developments expected as protests persist across the country.

admin