The Majlis-e-Wahdatul Muslimeen (MWM) resumed its sit-ins in Karachi on Tuesday evening, while the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) has also started sit-ins at various places across the city.
Workers of a religious party are observing sit-ins at more than 10 places in the provincial capital and have gathered at Shershah, Murghi Khana, Lasbela and Baloch Colony. Sit-ins also resumed at Korangi 5, Qayyumabad, Orangi, Old Vegetable Market and Burns Road.
On the other hand, the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat has started its sit-ins at various places in Karachi, including Lasbela, Shara-e-Faisal, Quaidabad, Baloch Colony and Taisar Town.
Clashes
The MWM sit-in participants clashed with policemen at Numaish Chowrangi throughout the day, and the protesters also pelted stones, injuring police officials. The police resorted to shelling the protesters intermittently in response. The protesters also set motorcycles on fire.
When the security officials fired bullets to disperse the protesters, the angry protesters also set fire to a police post. A heavy police contingent was deployed at Numaish Chowrangi, while the area is closed to traffic from all sides.
Notice from Sindh CM
Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah took notice of the torching of vehicles and motorcycles under the guise of a sit-in.
In a statement, Shah said damage to civil and government property was not allowed. Everyone had the right to protest, he maintained, but added that damage to civil property was vandalism and legal action would be taken against those who torched vehicles.
Murad Ali Shah said permission had been given to a specific platform for sit-ins. He also directed the additional IG to handle the situation and restore order in the city, and submit a report.
Due to the multiple sit-ins by religious parties in various areas, traffic jams could be seen at Karsaz, Isa Nagri and Hassan Square, while queues of vehicles formed on Korangi Expressway, Qayyumabad, Korangi Causeway and there was also heavy traffic on Stadium Road and University Road, due to which ordinary cities are facing difficulties.
Traffic police reported several key roads were blocked, affecting major areas of the city:
- University Road: Both routes near Nazim Aala Cut were shut down.
- Qayyumabad: Heno Chowk towards Korangi was closed for traffic.
- Orangi Town: Shahra Orangi Ponay 5 to Metro Cinema route was inaccessible.
- Quaidabad: The road to Murghi Khana was blocked.
- Korangi: Routes from Korangi No. 5 to Landhi No. 4 were closed.
- Tower Chowk: The road in front of Jilani Center was closed.
- Lasbela to Guru Mandir: Both roads were reported shut.
- Gulbai to Paracha Chowk: This route was inaccessible for commuters.
- Isfahani Road to Abbas Town: Completely blocked for traffic.
- Nazimabad No 1: Both sides were inaccessible.
- Kamran Chowrangi to weather station: Road closure caused massive congestion in the vicinity.
- Ancholi to Sohrab Goth: Completely shut down.
Congestion on expressways
The Lyari Expressway experienced a massive traffic jam, particularly on the track from Maripur to Sohrab Goth. Vehicles queued up for miles, exacerbating the city's traffic woes.
