Karachi has been gripped by severe traffic disruptions as protests continue to intensify across the city, led by Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) in response to the ongoing conflict in Parachinar, Kurram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The protests, which began earlier this week, are centered around the escalating violence between two rival groups in the region and the government’s failure to address the dire situation.
The ongoing sit-ins are causing significant traffic jams in key areas of Karachi, leaving commuters stranded and creating major disturbances throughout the city. Protests are being held at multiple locations, including Star Gate, Malir 15, Kala Chapra, Shah Faisal Colony, and Numaish Chowrangi, with demonstrators blocking major roads, including the critical Shahrah-e-Faisal. This has caused severe congestion, particularly along routes leading to the airport and other key city areas. The road from Malir 15 to Quaidabad is also closed, as are both roads from Shar-e-Faisal to Kala Chapra, further exacerbating the traffic chaos.
As protests spread, citizens have found themselves stuck in long queues, with many unable to reach their destinations on time. Passengers traveling to the airport are among those most affected, as the closure of roads has made it nearly impossible to access flights on time. The situation has worsened with continued blockades at Numaish Chowrangi, Abul Hasan Isfahani Road, and Abbas Town. The road from Numaish Chowrangi to Guru Mandir has also been closed, while the route to and from Super Highway from Abbas Town has been blocked as well.
During a sit-in at Numaish Chowrangi, MWM leader Allama Hassan Zafar addressed the protesters, criticizing the government for its failure to open the Kurram roads, which have been under blockade for weeks. Zafar highlighted the suffering of the people of Parachinar, who are effectively under siege from all sides due to the ongoing conflict and the inaction of authorities. He warned that if the government fails to take swift action to address the situation, protests will continue and spread to other divisional headquarters across Pakistan.
The protests show no signs of abating as MWM leaders vow to intensify their efforts until the government takes decisive action to end the blockade in Kurram and bring an end to the violence. The sit-ins in Karachi have drawn significant attention to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Parachinar, as citizens demand a resolution to the conflict and better treatment for the affected communities. With roads closed and daily life disrupted, Karachi residents are caught in the middle of a political standoff, waiting for the government to intervene and restore order both at home and in the troubled region of Parachinar.
