The ongoing sit-ins in Karachi have disrupted daily life, prompting Karachi Police Chief Javed Alam Odha to issue a stern warning to protesters blocking roads.
Speaking to the media, Odho stressed that paralyzing the entire city system in the name of protest is ‘unacceptable’.
“The people of Karachi suffered for three days; we will not make any concessions now,” Odho declared, ordering the police to take strict action against those interfering with public order.
“We have been lenient so far, but it is time to establish government regulations. Anyone who obstructs the roads or resists government authorities will face consequences,” he added.
Odho assured that the police will work to clear the roads and provide assistance to the citizens of Karachi. The move aims to restore normalcy in the city, which has been hit hard by protests.
The protesters remain sitting on the roads, causing the highway from Water Pump to Sohrab Goth to be completely shut down for the past three days. The closure of the Shahra-e-Pakistan highway has caused severe hardship to those heading towards the superhighway.
The Karachi police provide an explanation for the police chief’s statement
A Karachi police spokesperson clarified the recent statement of the Karachi police chief regarding the end of the sit-in, calling it a misunderstanding.
The spokeswoman emphasized that connecting the police chief’s statement with the end of the protests is unfounded.
“The intention of the police chief was not to order the end of the session,” the spokeswoman said.
The police chief’s announcement was aimed at ensuring that the protests were conducted in a manner that did not disrupt the flow of traffic, the spokeswoman added.
The clarification comes as the city continues to face disruption due to ongoing protests.
Commissioner Karachi appeals to MWM management to end sit-in
Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi has urged the leadership of the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) to end the ongoing sit-in in the city, citing the hardships being faced by the residents.
During a meeting with the MWM leadership and a visit to the protest site, Commissioner Naqvi asked for the postponement of the sit-ins to ease the hardships faced by the people of Karachi.
“The people of Karachi are facing considerable challenges due to these protests. We have to work together to give them relief,” Syed Hassan Naqvi said.
The ongoing protests caused disruption across the city, prompting calls from the authorities for resolution and relief.
Sindh Home Minister Zia met Sindh IG Ghulam Nabi Memon
The discussion was focused on the law and order situation, protests and measures in this context.
The Minister of the Interior emphasized ensuring information about alternative transport routes. “A coordinated deployment plan should be put in place during the New Year celebrations,” Zia Lanjhar said.
He also emphasized the need to ensure the protection of citizens and the effective implementation of security measures.
Multan situation
The sit-in organized by Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) has entered its sixth day at Nawan Shehar Chowk in Multan, protesting road closures and escalating tensions in Parachinar.
The protesters demanded immediate measures to improve the situation in Parachinar and ensure the supply of essential goods like food and medicine to the affected areas.
“We will continue our protest until the conditions in Parachinar improve,” the protesters vowed, urging the authorities to address the plight of the region’s residents and restore normalcy.
The ongoing sit-in highlighted the problems faced by residents of Parachinar due to restricted access and growing unrest in the area.
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