The Majlis-e-Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) protest sit-in at 11 locations in Karachi, including the centre point Numaish Chowrangi, in a show of solidarity with the Parachinar citizens continued on Saturday, attracting a large number of participants.

The demonstration resulted in severe traffic congestion, causing significant delays for commuters.

The Kurram district experienced relative peace over the weekend, thanks to the deployment of security forces following a ceasefire established by local authorities in November. Reports said that two individuals sustained injuries in Upper Kurram earlier this month.

This ceasefire, which followed a tense 10-day period of armed conflict, has provided temporary relief to a region that suffered significant loss, with a total of 118 lives claimed.

The violence began on November 21 when gunmen attacked passengers, resulting in 43 fatalities, with additional deaths occurring during subsequent retaliatory clashes.

Below is the list of roads that were closed for traffic

• MA Jinnah Road at the Numaish Chowrangi

• Both sides of Abu al-Hasan Isfahani Road near Super Highway opposite Abbas Town

• Five Star Chowrangi

• University Road near Metro Shopping Center and Nipa

• Both roads on the main National Highway at Malir 15 Bridge

• Shamsuddin Azimi Road near KDA Flats

• Surjani Road

• Ancholi on Shahrah Pakistan near Sohrab Goth

• Road leading to the airport near Natha Khan

• Malir 15

Traffic partially resumed

Officials said that the earlier protest at Kamran Chowrangi has been concluded. Recent reports said that traffic flowed in areas such as Gurumandir, Lasbela, Patel Para, Golimar Chowrangi, Teen Hatti, Liaquatabad, and near the Post Office, providing some relief to commuters amidst the ongoing unrest.

By the day’s end, traffic returned to normal in several areas of city, including Karimabad, Ayesha Manzil, Water Pump, and Sohrab Goth. Partial traffic restoration was reported at the Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Nipa Chowrangi, and Samama while traffic flow nearly resumed at Gulistan-e-Jauhar Chowrangi, Johar Mor, and Drigh Road.

The road to Malir Airport near Natha Khan remained closed to traffic.

Traffic was restored on the road from the Shahrah-e-Qaudain to MA Jinnah Road, but the route from Numaish to Gurumandir remained blocked.

Alternate routes

To help alleviate traffic congestion on MA Jinnah Road at the Numaish Chowrangi, alternative routes have been established.

Traffic was diverted from 45 Congress to PP Chowrangi and from Gurumandir to Soldier Bazaar. Furthermore, vehicles were redirected from the Society Signal to Corridor Three and from Britto Road toward Soldier Bazaar and Gurumandir.

On Abu al-Hassan Isphani Road near Super Highway, vehicles were redirected from the Paradise Bakery to Faria Chowk and the inner streets. The traffic from Ranger Cut has been turned towards the Service Road leading to Punjab Adda.

At Five Star Chowrangi, traffic flowed via the Service Road as an alternative route while vehicles on the University Road were diverted into the inner areas.

On Shahrah Faisal near Kala Chapra, traffic coming from Madam Signal was directed towards Shah Faisal Colony Bridge while the incoming city traffic was routed from Drigh Road to Rashid Minhas Road.

On the National Highway at Malir 15 Bridge, traffic heading towards Quaidabad was diverted from Malir Halt towards Model Colony. Moreover, traffic was redirected from Manzil Pump to Yunus Chowrangi and from Dawood Chowrangi towards the industrial area.

Protests Across Pakistan in Solidarity with Parachinar Citizens

Maulana Sadiq Jafri told reporters that nationwide protests are being held upon the appeal of Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jafri. “The protests are a show of solidarity with the people of Parachinar.”

He urged participants in all protests across the country to maintain peaceful demonstrations, asserting that the sit-in would continue until the Parachinar citizens announce the end of their protests.

MWM central leader Allama Hassan Zafar Naqvi clarified that the situation in Parachinar was not a religious conflict and urged that it should not be framed as a sectarian issue.

He claimed that the government was aware of those involved in the killings. “The KP Chief Minister and local administration were incompetent,” Naqvi stated.

He said if there were any “problems” caused by the sit-ins, it was the responsibility of the government to resolve them.

“Is Shehbaz Sharif the prime minister of Islamabad and Lahore only?” he asked and stating that the government could not put responsibility for the Parachinar situation squarely on the KP government.