KARACHI: The ongoing sit-in by the religious and political party Majlis Wahdat Muslimeen (MWM) over the Parachinar crisis has entered the seventh day, due to which the residents of the port city are facing severe traffic problems.
Government statements, meanwhile, have failed to address the road closures plaguing Karachi residents. Citizens face restricted movement, businesses and weddings are disrupted, and flights and trains are missed.
Two days ago, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had said that if the suffering of the people increases, the provincial government will take action. Yesterday, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab remarked that the aim of these sit-ins is to paralyze daily life and disrupt business, which is the responsibility of the state to prevent.
Later, Shazia Marri of Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) advised the protestors to sit in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa instead of Karachi, but there was no progress in opening the roads.
MWM is currently holding sit-ins at 14 locations. MA Jinnah Road and Nizam Chowrangi remained closed while sections of Pakistan Highway were closed at Ayesha Manzil and Incholi.
A track was closed near the Miller flyover on the National Highway. Protests are also being held outside KDA flats in Golimar, Five Star Chowrangi, Powerhouse Chowrangi, Ahsanabad and Sarjani.
More sit-ins are underway at Abul Hasan Isfahani Road near Abbas Town, University Road near Safari Park and Kamran Chowrangi and Johar Mor in Golestan Johar.
However, the dharna has been ended at Natha Khan Bridge and Malir 15 at two places on the city’s primary road, Shaara Faisal.