Fear-stricken commuters forced to spend hours in horrific traffic mess

MR Kiyani, Ziauddin, II Chundrigar roads under complete shutdown; several vehicles burnt as law enforcers struggled to bring the situation under control

Karachi

The city’s downtown was a sight of utter chaos after Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s (MQM) workers resorted to violence, on Monday evening, following a provocative speech by the party’s chief, Altaf Hussain. The area that comprises the metropolis’ red zone as well as main commercial centres was in a complete lockdown after all roads leading to main thoroughfares witnessed severe traffic jams.

The violence that began from outside the local press club later spread to adjacent streets forcing the law enforcers to block the road leading to Fawara Chowk as well as the MR Kiyani, Ziauddin Ahmed, II Chundrigar and Club roads – the roads house  official residences of the province’s chief minister, governor as well as the provincial secretariat and assembly.

However, the blockades resulted in hours long traffic jams on the MT Khan, Sarwar Shaheed, MA Jinnah roads as well as Sharea Faisal. Several motorists ran for safety, while those at a distance from the violent protests helplessly sat in their vehicles waiting for the traffic mess to clear off.

Having to shut out residences of the key provincial representatives to protect them from violence, the trailers and containers placed in front of them further aggravated traffic problems of the city.

The teargas shelling, aerial firing of the law enforcers to contain the protestors added to the sense of fear of those stuck in traffic jams around the areas too close to where the violence erupted.

Several motorists were seen abandoning their vehicles on main roads as they ran out of fuel while some decided to opt for other modes of transportation after walking to areas which were through.

As all got to leave for their homes as soon as reports of chaos broke out, a number of people including women who had offices in the areas ended up getting stuck in traffic for several hours.

“I decided to rush for my house from my office located on II Chundrigar Road at around 4:00 pm, but I got stuck in traffic at the Arts Council roundabout,” Shoaib Ahmed, an employee of a bank and resident of Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

The traffic mess further slowed down traffic in Liaquatabad, University road, Stadium road, COD road and Rahishd Minhas road.

Public modes of transportation such as rickshaws, taxis and buses otherwise a common sight in the city vanished soon after the violence. Hundreds of people were seen stranded on bus stops and roadsides in search for transportation.

The mobsters resorted to pelting commuters with stones and set at least two vehicles, including a police mobile and a motorbike, on fire while windows of several other vehicles were broken. The area’s main shopping centre, Zainab Market, was also attacked with most of its window panes smashed in.

It was only after 8:00pm that the situation was brought under control as blockades were lifted and people got to reach their respective destinations.