The Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) has sustained its protest sit-ins over the Parachinar crisis for a seventh day, significantly disrupting traffic in the city.
Despite government statements, road closures continue to impact Karachi, hindering businesses and causing residents to miss flights and trains. Two days ago, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah stated that the provincial government would intervene if public inconveniences escalated. Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab criticized the sit-ins yesterday, asserting that their purpose was to paralyze daily life and disrupt businesses, which are responsibilities the state should counteract.
Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Shazia Marri has suggested that protesters relocate their sit-ins to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, yet no progress has been made to clear the blocked roads. Currently, the MWM is holding protests at 13 key locations in Karachi, causing extensive traffic jams.
However, sit-ins at two major points on Sharea Faisal have been called off.
Addressing the protesters, MWM leader Allama Ahmed Iqbal called for the immediate reopening of the Parachinar road, citing severe shortages of food and medicine affecting the locals.
The Sindh government, represented by spokesperson Saadia Javed, described the situation as a humanitarian crisis, not just a political issue, and promised government action to alleviate the disruptions in Karachi, stating, “We cannot see Karachi’s citizens in distress.”
Additionally, a Grand Peace Jirga on law and order in the Kurram district is set to reconvene on Tuesday to discuss the Tall-Parachinar Highway closure. Both parties are expected to propose a plan for disarmament within 15 days.
