- After Kurram Jirga decision, sit-ins should end: govt spokesperson
- Sindh government asks MWM to move sit-ins in front of press club.
- Sit-ins against the Parachinar killings continue in 14 places in Karachi.
As sit-ins protests by the political and religious party Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) continue in parts of Karachi due to deadly tensions in Parachinar, the Sindh government on Sunday called on religious scholars to help put an end to the demonstrations.
“(A) jirga has taken a decision on the Kurram issue…now the sit-in protests in Karachi must end,” Sindh government spokesperson Sadia Javed said in a statement television broadcast earlier in the evening.
Traveling has become a nightmare for a number of citizens as traffic is blocked at different places and commuters have to take a diversion, further aggravating the traffic situation on other arterial roads as well.
The protests, which have continued for six consecutive days, are taking place in 14 different locations, including on major thoroughfares.
In addition to other areas, protests are currently taking place at Numaish Chowrangi, Natha Khan Bridge on Sharea Faisal, in front of KDA Apartments in Surjani Town, Golimar, Power House Chowrangi, near Safari Park on University Road, Korangi n ° 2½, Five Star Chowrangi in North Nazimabad, Abul Hassan Isphani Road, Kamran Chowrangi in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Incoli Society and near Ayesha Manzil.
The traffic police, however, said that alternative routes had been proposed to facilitate travel.
The protests stem from the deteriorating security situation in Parachinar, where clashes have left more than 130 people dead since November, the culmination of the recent escalation of conflict between two tribal groups.
In today’s statement, the Sindh government spokesperson urged the protesting party to “realize the sufferings of the citizens of Karachi” as they face deep unrest due to road closures.
She pointed out that life in Karachi has been paralyzed due to the protests, adding that even ambulances were struggling to reach some areas.
“If you (protesters) want to continue the sit-in, move it to a ground or (road) outside the Press Club,” Javed added, assuring that the government is ready to provide facilities .
Karachi police chief meets MWM leaders
In another development, Karachi Police Chief Javed Alam Odho and Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi visited the protest site on MA Jinnah Main Road near Numaish.
During their visit, they also met with political and religious party leaders for talks.
The police chief urged the protesting party to limit their sit-in to Drigh Road as commuters faced immense difficulties.
Meanwhile, during a press conference, senior MWM leader Hassan Zafar Naqvi said the protests were peaceful in nature, adding: “Our sit-ins are free from sectarianism and open to individuals from all walks of life. us in solidarity.”
Despite the prolonged demonstration, Hassan clarified that the participants did not present any specific request for negotiation. “We are not here to assert demands; our protest demonstrates our position and our principles,” he said.
He said they were ready to end the sit-ins in Karachi if the Parachinar protest was called off. “We have organized these sit-ins at the request of Allama Raja Nasir Abbas and we will end them according to his directives,” he added.
Speaking about the challenges faced in Parachinar, Hassan highlighted that the region is grappling with fundamental problems.
Even helicopters lack fuel and gasoline to operate efficiently, he noted, emphasizing the urgent need to address these issues.
The MWM leader reaffirmed the peaceful nature of the demonstrations and their objective. “Our protests are non-violent and aim to raise our voices against all forms of oppression,” he said.
However, he expressed concern about the negative propaganda circulating against their sit-ins. “There is a deliberate campaign to slander our peaceful protests,” Hassan added.
He warned the Sindh government not to exploit the ongoing protests for political gain. He clarified that it was not a demonstration organized by a political party. Rather, it is a protest for the oppressed, in which people from all walks of life participate, he added.
“If we call for sit-ins across Sindh, the government will not be able to stop them,” added the MWM leader, referring to the widening circle of protests.
Reiterating the peaceful and inclusive nature of the demonstrations, Hassan affirmed that they had not disrupted daily life.
“We kept one lane open at each protest site, ensuring no businesses were affected,” he said.
A day earlier, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab denounced the continued road blockages in Karachi “under the guise of protest”, saying it was an inappropriate act.
The mayor also chastised protesters for damaging newly constructed roads. “Which allowed them to damage the recently constructed roads in New Karachi,” he said, speaking to reporters.
Murtaza said the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government should resolve the Parachinar issue. However, he added, blocking the arteries would do no good. He lamented that if anything happened anywhere in the country, protests would be organized and roads would be closed in Karachi.
Meanwhile, Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah appealed to protesters to avoid causing hardship to the public, saying, “Blocking roads in Karachi and Sukkur will not solve the Parachinar problem. »
Parachinar, located in Kurram, is a tribal district close to the Afghan border with a population of around 600,000. It has long been a flashpoint of conflict.
The recent clashes have triggered a humanitarian crisis, with shortages of medicine and oxygen exacerbated by the closure of the highway linking Parachinar to Peshawar.
As part of a relief operation, the Sindh governor’s office announced that a helicopter carrying medical supplies and other aid had arrived in Parachinar. These arrangements were sent on the directive of the Sindh Governor to deal with the growing crisis.