Parachinar Crisis Sparks Continued Protests In Karachi, Leaving Roads Blocked

Despite efforts by the police and Sindh Rangers to disperse the sit-ins, the protesters refused to leave, pitching tents and continuing their demonstration.

Parachinar Crisis Sparks Continued Protests In Karachi, Leaving Roads Blocked

Protests continue to unfold in Karachi, Pakistan’s economic hub, as the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) stages sit-ins in response to the ongoing crisis in Parachinar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Despite a heavy crackdown by law enforcement, the demonstrations are causing significant disruptions to daily life, with major roads blocked and public services severely impacted across the city.

Currently, sit-ins are being held at multiple locations across Karachi, including Abul Hasan Isphahani Road, Numaish Chowrangi, Kamran Chowrangi, Lasbela, Tower, and several others. The protests have caused severe traffic disruptions and paralyzed economic activities.

According to Karachi's traffic police, key roads are closed due to the protests. The affected areas include Abul Hasan Isphahani Road, Numaish Chowrangi, and Kamran Chowrangi, with major roads such as the one leading to Sohrab Goth from Ancholi also blocked. As a result, commuters are facing huge delays and difficulties in traveling.

Earlier in the day, police attempted to clear the blocked roads but faced resistance from the protesters. The situation escalated when the protesters threw stones at the police, set fire to six police motorcycles, and destroyed a police checkpost at Numaish Chowrangi. In response, the police used tear gas and baton charges to disperse the protesters. The police also dismantled the central protest camp at Numaish Chowrangi and arrested several individuals involved in the protest.

The Sindh government has reacted strongly to the situation. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed his concern, stating that damaging public or private property would not be tolerated. He warned that legal action would be taken against those who set vehicles on fire. "Everyone has the right to protest, but damaging property is a crime," the chief minister said.

At Kamran Chowrangi, the situation remained tense, and more police forces were deployed to control the crowd. Despite efforts by the police and Sindh Rangers to end the sit-ins, the protesters refused to leave, pitching tents and continuing their demonstration.

Some protests, however, were called off earlier in the day. The sit-ins at Five Star Chowrangi, Shamsuddin Azeemi Road, Surjani Town, Ancholi, and Golimar Chowrangi were cleared by the police to allow traffic to resume. The police also managed to disperse the protesters blocking Abul Hasan Isphahani Road after some brief clashes.

In response to the ongoing unrest, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah stated that the provincial government had earlier asked the demonstrators to limit their protests to one location to minimize disruption to the public. However, the MWM leaders did not adhere to this request, leading to the continuation of protests at multiple locations. Murad Ali Shah emphasized that while peaceful protests are a right, the government could not allow the city’s functioning to be hampered.

The Sindh government has also provided relief goods to Parachinar, which is located near the Afghan border and has been affected by violent clashes in recent months. Parachinar, with a population of around 600,000, has witnessed escalating violence, with recent clashes killing at least 130 people. The situation in the region has led to shortages of essential supplies like medicine and oxygen, worsened by the closure of the main highway connecting Parachinar to Peshawar.