Karachi roads closure continues as police warning turns out to be misunderstanding

The Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen’s (MWM) sit-ins in support of Kurram Agency’s people continued at around a dozen locations in Karachi on Monday, causing difficulties for the public.

While both tracks of Sharea Faisal remained open to traffic, the central sit-in at Numaish continued, as well as at some 11 other locations, including main University Road and Shahrah-e-Pakistan.

Monday marked the seventh consecutive day of the central sit-in at Numaish, while the sit-ins at various other locations in the city entered their fifth day.

Although Sharea Faisal, one of Karachi’s most critical arteries, remained unaffected, with smooth traffic flow on both tracks, other major roads faced significant disruption due to the sit-ins.

‘Roads to be cleared’

Addressing the media during an event in the afternoon, Karachi police chief Javed Alam Odho announced that all the sit-ins in the city would be cleared from the roads by the Maghrib prayers.

Odho said everyone is saddened by the Parachinar incident, but this does not mean that residents should be put through unnecessary hardships. Religious scholars have confirmed that blocking roads is a sin, he added.

He said that all roads would be cleared and reopened by Maghrib, adding that similar policies are being followed across Pakistan, where no demonstrations are being held on roads, so Karachi would adopt the same approach.

He mentioned that negotiations with the sit-ins’ leaders have taken place, and that they have agreed not to block roads. He made the assurance that if any road blockages due to the sit-ins remained before Maghrib, they would be cleared completely.

He stressed that instructions have already been issued to police officers to take strict action and provide relief to Karachi’s residents, who have been facing immense difficulties over the past few days.

‘Govt to be responsible’

The MWM responded to the city police chief’s announcement with the warning that Sindh’s government and police would be responsible for any action against the sit-ins.

MWM Karachi leader Mubashir Hassan asked the provincial government to “stop conspiring against the sit-ins” being held in solidarity with the oppressed people of Parachinar. “As long as the sit-in of the oppressed people of Parachinar continues, sit-ins in Karachi will also persist.”

‘A misunderstanding’

Following the MWM’s reaction, the Karachi police spokesman issued a statement, saying that the news circulating on social media claiming that the police chief has ordered ending the sit-ins is “baseless” and the result of a “misunderstanding”.

He claimed that the police chief’s statement was not intended to call for the termination of the protests. Instead, he stressed, the goal was to ensure that the sit-ins are carried out in a way that does not disrupt the traffic flow.

‘No region safe’

Holding a press conference at Numaish, MWM leaders welcomed the police chief’s clarification. They also lamented the deaths of children in Parachinar due to the unavailability of medicines.

Addressing the gathering, Allama Hassan Zafar Naqvi stressed the continuation of the central sit-in at Numaish. He criticised the police chief’s statement regarding the sit-ins as “irresponsible”, and warned that if any strictmeasures are taken against the sit-ins, the government would bear full responsibility.

Naqvi highlighted the deteriorating situation in the Kurram district, where conditions are worsening, roads are blocked and human lives are at risk. He clarified that the issue in Parachinar is not a sectarian conflict but a matter of lawlessness and a humanitarian crisis.

He said schools, colleges, businesses and markets in the district remain closed, leaving people confined to their homes and mourning their loved ones. He explained that the nationwide protests are aimed at reopening the roads to Parachinar and restoring normalcy, not to create hardships by blocking pathways.

He added that blocking the routes to Kurram Agency is an act of lawlessness and a war crime. He stressed that protests are being carried out to eliminate lawlessness in Kurram Agency and ensure peace.

The MWM leader said the protesters have pinned their hopes for peace in Parachinar on the armed forces. He urged the participants to remain peaceful and ensure that a portion of the roads where they are sitting remains open for public movement.

He said the sit-ins would continue until the roads in the Kurram district are reopened. He clarified that no government building or public property has been harmed during the protests. “We are peaceful and stand against oppression. Our mothers, sisters and youth are standing in solidarity with the oppressed.”

He also expressed gratitude to all the political and religious parties, as well as leaders from various sects and religions for their support. He pointed out that the country’s problems stem from the government’s failed policies, not from sit-ins.

He stressed that no region in the country is safe from terrorism any more, and justice for the oppressed and punishment for the criminals are becoming distant dreams.

‘Prime minister’s duty’

Responding to Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari’s press conference, MWM leaders asked her to remind PM Shehbaz Sharif of his responsibilities as the country’s leader.

They asked if Sharif is aware of Parachinar’s geography and if the security agencies are not under his government’s authority. They criticised the federal government for acting as if it only governs Punjab. They stressed that the PM’s duty is to ensure the safety and dignity of all citizens.

PPP delegation’s visit

A Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) delegation led by Waqar Mehdi participated in the sit-in at Numaish. The delegation included Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani, Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab and Addl IG Odho. MWM leaders met the provincial government’s delegation.

Mehdi condemned the atrocities in Parachinar, and welcomed Allama Raja Nasir Abbas Jafri’s statements regarding nationwide sit-ins while requesting an end to the sit-ins. However, Allama Naqvi ensured that their sit-ins are peaceful.

He said leaders have been sent to all the ongoing sit-ins in the city, adding that roads at all sit-in locations remain partially open for public movement. He also said that no damage has been caused to public or semi-government property during the protests. “We’re grateful to the delegation that visited to express solidarity with the participants of the sit-ins.”

ASWJ to hold sit-ins

The city has been in a state of tension ever since the Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) announced plans for holding sit-ins at around 60 locations. The ASWJ spokesman said their sit-ins would continue until the MWM ends theirs.

He said the ASWJ’s sit-ins would begin at 3pm on Tuesday (today) at some 60 locations that are completely different from the locations where the MWM is holding their protests. This decision has been made to minimise the risk of any clashes between the two groups of protesters, he added.

He also said the Apex Committee has decided that both sides in Parachinar should surrender their weapons, and that a military operation should be conducted.

The ASWJ welcomes this decision and believes the other side should also support it, he added.

Law and order meeting

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar and Sindh police chief Ghulam Nabi Memon held a meeting to discuss the province’s law and order situation, particularly focusing on the sit-ins being held in various parts of the city and the corresponding police measures.

Lanjar stressed ensuring that residents are provided with accurate information about alternative traffic routes during the protests. In view of the new year approaching, he also stressed the importance of not only implementing a coordinated deployment plan but also taking practical steps to ensure the safety and security of residents.