KARACHI: The Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) on Thursday announced expansion of its protest sit-ins over killings in Parachinar.

Activists and supporters of the MWM had on Tuesday launched their first sit-in on the main M.A. Jinnah Road near Numaish. Their second sit-in began on the main Abul Hasan Ispahani Road near Abbas Town on Wednesday evening.

While the two sit-ins are already continuing, a spokesperson for the MWM said that the party had started its sit-ins at Malir 15 near the National Highway and a few other areas on Thursday evening.

The closure of several important arteries in the city due to the sit-ins caused traffic jams and hardship to motorists and commuters. The traffic police diverted vehicular traffic to alternative routes.

Earlier in the day, the MWM had planned to expand its protest sit-ins to nine other locations in the city in addition to Numaish and Abbas Town. The traffic police also announced alternative traffic routes in view of the likely closure of Sharea Faisal near Star Gate, Shahrah-i-Pakistan near Ancholi, Rizvia Chowrangi in Nazimabad, Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Korangi, Gulshan-i-Maymar, Steel Town and Surjani Town.

The party said that its sit-ins in the metropolis would continue until the main sit-in in Parachinar ended.

Meanwhile, addressing the protesters at Numaish, MWM leader Allama Hasan Zafar Naqvi demanded that the government play its due role to restore lasting peace in Kurram.

He said the people of Parachinar were facing a humanitarian crisis as the items of basic needs were not available and in the harsh winter several families were left abandoned at the mercy of armed group.

Published in Dawn, December 27th, 2024