Karachi road closures after protests continued on Wednesday, with several key routes remaining blocked for the third consecutive day amid heightened security in the city.
Authorities imposed the restrictions after protests erupted on Sunday following the assassination of Iranian leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Demonstrations outside the US consulate in Karachi resulted in casualties and injuries among protesters.
Traffic police and security personnel have since maintained strict controls on several major roads across the city. Major closures remain in place near Mai Kolachi Road and the surrounding areas.
At the Mai Kolachi railway crossing, barriers have been installed, and traffic police are heavily deployed. Only residents and office workers travelling from Boat Basin towards Mai Kolachi are allowed access after presenting their national identity cards.
Meanwhile, shipping containers have been placed on the PIDC Bridge, blocking traffic towards Jinnah Bridge and Mai Kolachi.
Read: Karachi US Consulate Protest Violence Leaves 9 Dead, 18 Injured
Authorities have also sealed the route from MT Khan Road to PIDC Road and Mai Kolachi using barriers. Police and Rangers personnel remain stationed in the area to enforce the restrictions.
Similarly, commuters travelling from Jinnah Bridge towards Mai Kolachi or PIDC Road are unable to use these routes because they remain closed to general traffic.
Karachi Traffic Diversions and Alternate Routes
Due to the closures, residents near Bilawal House and Boat Basin have been advised to use alternative routes.
Commuters can travel via Clifton Bridge and then proceed towards Metropole and II Chundrigar Road. Another option is to use Saddar routes to reach different parts of the city.
Heavy congestion was reported on II Chundrigar Road on Tuesday as traffic pressure increased due to diversions. The situation continued on Wednesday with vehicles being redirected through alternate streets.
Drivers travelling from Mauripur Road towards Boat Basin can take Jinnah Bridge to II Chundrigar Road, then head towards Clifton and Defence via connecting routes. Another option is to travel via Kutiyana Memorial Hospital and adjoining streets to access II Chundrigar Road.
Traffic officials and police personnel are present at multiple points across the city to guide commuters and manage diversions.
Authorities said additional personnel have been deployed at sensitive locations across Karachi as part of ongoing security measures. Citizens seeking updated traffic information can contact the traffic police helpline at 1915 for guidance on road conditions and available routes.
