Karachi mayor slams protests disrupting city’s traffic

On Saturday, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab strongly criticised the ongoing road blockages in Karachi, which he said were being carried out “under the guise of protest.”

Speaking to reporters, Wahab condemned the protestors for damaging newly-constructed roads, particularly in New Karachi, questioning who had allowed such destruction. His remarks came amid the ongoing sit-ins organised by the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM), which have caused major disruptions across the city.

The protests, which entered their fourth day, were held in response to the worsening security situation in Kurram’s Parachinar. MWM demonstrators are voicing concerns over the escalating conflict, which has claimed over 130 lives in the region since November.

However, the protests have paralyzed major traffic routes, causing significant inconvenience for commuters. Major roads such as Abul Hasan Isphani Road, University Road, Sharea Faisal, and the National Highway were blocked, resulting in severe congestion and detours.

Wahab criticized the blockades, stating that while the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government should address the issue in Parachinar, disrupting Karachi’s traffic would not resolve the crisis. “Blocking arteries won’t serve the purpose,” he said, adding that talks were underway to resolve the matter.

He also lamented that road blockages in Karachi had become a common response to national issues.

Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also urged the protestors to reconsider their actions, stating that “blocking roads in Karachi and Sukkur will not resolve the Parachinar issue.” As the protests continued, Karachi Traffic Police worked to redirect vehicles to alternative routes in an effort to ease congestion.

Despite these efforts, the ongoing demonstrations, particularly at Numaish Chowrangi, Five Star Chowrangi, and Kamran Chowrangi, continued to disrupt daily life, highlighting the growing tension over the security situation in Parachinar.

The protests are linked to a spike in violence in Parachinar, a tribal district near the Afghan border. Recent clashes between two tribal groups have intensified the conflict, and reports of a medicine shortage have added to the crisis, with claims of over 100 child fatalities due to lack of medical supplies.