Sit-ins continue in Karachi as police chief's deadline expires

While Additional Inspector General Javed Alam Odho claimed that the blocked roads would be opened by the evening, the sit-ins organised by the Majlis Wahadat-e-Muslimeen at over a dozen locations continued for the eighth consecutive day, and traffic woes for Karachiites have not ended so far.

The demonstrators were staging protests in 13 locations across Karachi over the Parachinar killings, causing significant disruptions for commuters.

Earlier, after a week of sit-ins, city police chief Odho directed the police to clear the roads, warning that anyone resisting the implementation of the state's authority would be dealt with severely.

However, the protest persisted despite the police chief’s deadline. The religio-political party has now "decided to continue protesting on only one track of the road," where sit-ins are underway, while the second track will remain open for vehicular traffic.

The traffic spokesperson said the protests sit-ins continue at 13 places including Numaish Chowrangi, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Jauhar Mor and Block-19-20; Safoora Chowrangi, Abul Hasan Ispahani Road and University Road near Metro in Gulshan-i-Iqbal; Five Star Chowrangi in North Nazimabad; Shamsuddin Azeemi Road in Surjani Town; Ancholi and Ayesha Manzil on Shahrah-i-Pakistan; Nawab Siddique Ali Khan Road in Nazimabad-1 and Power House Chowrangi at Nagan have been closed for traffic.

The protestors in Karachi made it clear that they would not end the protest until their demands were accepted.

On the other hand, the suspension of thoroughfares at Kurram for three months caused medical and nutrition scarcity in the area, and the authorities with the help of Jirgah attempted to solve this issue. 

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Advisor Barrister Saif said that there has been a general consensus among the parties. However, the deal is expected to be signed by today.