After Lahore, religious party protests, and arson in Karachi

Karachi: After Punjab, the religious party has also called for protests in different parts of Karachi, and the incidents of arson and encirclement took place in different parts of the city. Citizens are facing severe difficulties due to the closure of several highways due to the protests.

Religious party workers protested at the Nala Stop in New Karachi, where angry protesters pelted stones at vehicles and broke windows. Similarly, protesters blocked the road at the North Karachi 4 intersection, which increased traffic jams and public unrest.

According to DIG West Irfan Ali Baloch, the police took timely action and dispersed the protesters by shelling.

According to Irfan Ali Baloch, ‘The situation around New Karachi, Sindh Hotel and Four K Chowrangi has been brought under control and traffic has been restored.’

The DIG further said that ‘five protesters who were pelting stones and burning have been arrested, while a heavy police force has been deployed in the area.’

On the other hand, the situation remained tense in various cities of Punjab, especially Muridke, where the police and Rangers conducted an operation and cleared the GT Road.

In Lahore, several roads were also closed due to the law and order situation, while the Orange Line train and metro bus service were suspended.

According to the district administration, roads from Darogha Wala to Salamat Pura, from Aiwan-e-Adal to PMG, Karol Ghati Ring Road, Shanghai Bridge and both sides of Chungi Amar Sidhu are closed. Similarly, roads from Thokar Niaz Baig to Babu Sabu, Scheme Mor to Yateem Khana Chowk, Samanabad to Scheme Mor and Liliani have also been closed.

Defense Minister Khawaja Asif also issued a statement on the protest of the religious party, writing that ‘forming armed groups in the name of religion, blocking roads and holding the people hostage in the beloved homeland is blasphemy.’

He wrote that ‘two years of cruelty and bloodshed were played in Gaza, no one protested. When the ceasefire was reached there, the protest started. The time has come to stop holding society hostage, teaching the history of violence in the name of religion.’

The situation in Rawalpindi and Islamabad also remains tense due to possible protests by the religious party. The Faizabad double road has been completely closed by installing containers, while a heavy contingent of police and Rangers has been deployed on all internal and external routes. Citizens are facing traffic jams and delays for the fourth consecutive day.

Meanwhile, Punjab University has postponed the exams scheduled for today in view of the situation. According to the university administration, the LLB exams will be held from October 14 as scheduled.

Traffic conditions are severely affected due to protests in Punjab, Sindh and the federal capital, while security forces have been placed on high alert to deal with any untoward incident.