Decision on sit-ins pending religious scholars' input, MWM tells PPP

The Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) continued its protest sit-ins over Parachinar crisis for the eight consecutive day on Tuesday in Karachi, disrupting the daily life in the country’s economic hub.

In a late-night development, leaders of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) and the MWM talked to the media after holding negotiations late Monday on ongoing protests and sit-ins across the city.

PPP leader Saeed Ghani expressed solidarity with the bereaved families of the Parachinar tragedy victims, stating, "We are deeply grieved over the incident and extend our condolences to the martyrs' families."

Paying tribute to the resilience of women and children participating in the protests, the PPP leader remarked, "We salute their courage."

He added, "It is your right to protest." However, he urged organisers of the protest sit-ins to limit their demonstrations to a single location.

On the occasion, AIG Javed Alam also spoke to the media. According to him, additional security personnel have been deployed across the city to ensure security of the sit-ins.

MWM leader Allama Hassan Zafar Naqvi said, "We respect your opinion." However, in a muted refusal of the delegation's request, he noted that it is not possible for him to give a definitive answer right away as various sit-ins have different organisers.

However, he assured that the MWM leadership would respond after consulting with all religious scholars.

The MWM leader expressed gratitude to the delegation visiting the sit-ins to show solidarity. However, he affirmed, "Our sit-in will continue."

On Monday, Karachi police chief Javed Alam Odho said that roads in the metropolis were likely to be cleared as they had talked to the protesters.

Addressing an event, the additional inspector general of police (AIG) said that they were making efforts to open the closed roads for public.

“We are giving a clear message that we have received instructions to clear the roads by this evening,” he added.

“Officers have been instructed to clear the roads before Maghrib prayer," he said, warning that the police would deal with iron hands if anybody resisted the implementation of the state’s writ.

“Those who refuse to vacate the roads will be removed according to the law,” warned the Karachi police chief. The AIG was of the view that he would provide relief to Karachiites as they suffered a lot during the past few days.

Referring to their dialogue with the protesters, the Karachi top cop said that Ulema of the politico-religious party were agreed that roads should not be blocked.

“Strict action would be taken if someone attempt to take law into their hands,” he warned.

The top cop said paralysing the entire system of the city was not appropriate.

‘Sit-ins shouldn’t disrupt traffic’

Shortly after issuing deadline to clear the roads, a spokesperson of the Karachi police clarified that the AIG did not mean to remove the sit-ins by force.

He wanted to say that the “sit-ins should be staged in such a way that there is no disruption in the flow of traffic”.

“Linking the news [involving the Karachi police chief] with the removal of sit-ins is baseless and misunderstanding,” the spokesperson added.

Earlier, the government officials assurances, meanwhile, have failed to alleviate the road closures plaguing Karachi residents.

Citizens face restricted movement, with businesses and wedding ceremonies disrupted, and incidents of missed flights and trains continuing.

Two days back, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had said that the provincial government would act if public inconvenience increased. Yesterday, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab remarked that the purpose of these sit-ins was to paralyse daily life and disrupt businesses, which it is the state's responsibility to prevent.

The MWM is currently holding sit-ins at 13 locations. MA Jinnah Road and Numaish Chowrangi remained closed, while sections of Shahrah-e-Pakistan were blocked at Ayesha Manzil and Ancholi.

On the National Highway, one track near Malir Flyover was shut down. Protests are also being held at Five Star Chowrangi, Powerhouse Chowrangi, Ahsanabad and outside KDA Flats in Surjani.

Further sit-ins are being held on Abul Hasan Ispahani Road near Abbas Town, University Road near Safari Park, , Safoora Chowrangi, Kamran Chowrangi and Johar Mor in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.

However, sit-ins at two points on the city's primary road, Sharea Faisal, have been called off at Natha Khan Bridge and Malir 15.

Furthermore, the road from Golimar Chowrangi to Nazimabad No 2 is also closed due to ongoing sit-in.

However, the MWM's protests are not limited to Karachi as the religious-political party is also staging a sit-in at Lahore's Davis Road which has resulted in persistent traffic congestion and has also affected surrounding roads.