The banned Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) initiated counter-protests at two locations in Karachi today, following the easing of sit-ins across the city. Several roads reopened for traffic on Tuesday after police issued warnings regarding the ongoing protests, which were sparked by the recent killings in Parachinar, located in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram District.
The Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM), a religio-political group, had called for nationwide protests to show solidarity with the people of Parachinar. The residents there have been holding a sit-in since December 20 to protest the deteriorating law and order situation and ongoing road closures.
Traffic has now been restored on six key routes, including Jauhar Mor to Jauhar Chowrangi, Five Star Chowrangi in North Nazimabad, Shamsuddin Azeemi Road towards KDA Flats in Surjani Town, Nawab Siddique Ali Khan Road in Nazimabad-1 towards Nazimabad-2, and Ancholi and Ayesha Manzil on Shahrah-i-Pakistan. Despite this, traffic police confirmed that protests are still ongoing at four other locations across the city.
Meanwhile, the ASWJ began its counter-protests today, a day after announcing plans to stage sit-ins at 60 locations across Karachi. ASWJ spokesperson Umar Muavia confirmed that protests had started at Sharea Faisal and Qayyumabad.
