Protesters at Numaish demand justice for people of Kurram Agency

The Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen’s (MWM) sit-in at Numaish to demand the resolution of the Parachinar situation entered its sixth day on Sunday, with leaders of the Milli Yakjehti Council (MYC), and representatives of various political and religious parties joining them to express their solidarity.

The protesters held prayers for those killed in a chain of events in Parachinar since last month. They also held a memorial session, as well as religious gatherings. The MWM has been holding sit-ins at 11 major locations across Karachi. The protests have resulted in the closure of roads and disruptions in the movement of traffic.

The traffic police said the affected areas include MA Jinnah Road near Numaish, Sharea Faisal near the Natha Khan Bridge, University Road near the Safari Park, Golimar, Powerhouse Chowrangi, Abul Hasan Ispahani Road, Five Star Chowrangi, Surjani Town near KDA Flats, Shahrah-e-Pakistan near Ayesha Manzil and Ancholi, and Gulistan-e-Jauhar near Kamran Chowrangi.

The traffic police spokesman said they have deployed personnel to manage the situation and have provided alternative routes for commuters, adding that residents are advised to plan their travel accordingly and use the designated detours to avoid delays.

During his address at the main sit-in at Numaish, MWM central leader Allama Hassan Zafar Naqvi stressed that holding peaceful protests is a constitutional and legal right that cannot be denied.

Allama Naqvi criticised the federal and Sindh governments, as well as the law enforcement agencies for their failure to establish peace in the Kurram district, which has faced terrorism for several years.

“All our protests across the country are against oppression and in support of the oppressed, without discrimination. Our protest is not political. It’s against injustice. Those who questionthe political affiliation of the protesters should remember that the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa belongs to a political party.”

He said: “Our missing persons are still detained in anonymous prisons and subjected to state repression, yet our patriotism remains unmatched. We’re not the ones to flee in the face of adversity.”

He dismissed the claims of any damages caused by the sit-ins. “The protesters haven’t harmed public or private property, not even a leaf, on the roads. We’re residents of this city, fully aware of its challenges.”

He added: “None of the peaceful sit-ins across the city have obstructed ambulances or the movement of residents. There’s no threat to businesses, residential buildings, shopping malls or food streets due to these protests.”

He also claimed: “There is pressure on media houses to avoid covering these protests. We urge media owners to be the voice of truth and avoid falling prey to propaganda.” He appreciated the large presence of men, women and children, as well as the elderly at the protests. He vowed that the sit-ins would continue until the demands of Parachinar’s people are met.

MYC leader Dr Mumtaz Minhaj condemned terrorism and violence in Parachinar. “Parachinar is a part of Pakistan, yet its people are being subjected to violence and killings.” Dr Minhaj said: “We demand justice for the people of Kurram Agency and the immediate reopening of blocked roads, which are causing food shortages and loss of human lives.”

Other notable participants included Allama Mukhtar Imami, Allama Mubashir Hassan, Markazi Tanzeem-e-Azadari chief SM Naqi and Abbas Haider. The sit-ins continue peacefully, with the participants calling for justice and immediate action from the government to address the grievances of Parachinar’s people.