MWM Sit-ins in Karachi Enter Day Eight, Numbers Decline

The Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) continued their protests in Karachi for the eighth consecutive day, demanding action over the Parachinar situation. While the sit-ins have caused significant disruptions in the city, the number of protest sites has notably decreased.

Key Developments

1. Reduced Protest Sites:
   • Sit-ins have decreased from 13 locations to four, easing some travel disruptions in the metropolis.
   • Current protest sites include:
     • Safari Park (University Road)
     • Kamran Chowrangi
     • Numaish Chowrangi
     • Abbas Town
   • Roads like Jauhar Mor have reopened to vehicular traffic.
2. Law Enforcement Actions:
   • Police and Rangers personnel were deployed to manage tense situations, especially at Kamran Chowrangi, where clashes occurred.
   • Protesters were dispersed at:
     • Abul Hassan Isphani Road
     • Five Star Chowrangi
     • Shamsuddin Azeemi Road
3. Political and Security Updates:
   • A Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) delegation, led by Saeed Ghani, expressed solidarity with the victims of the Parachinar tragedy while urging protestors to limit demonstrations to one location.
   • Additional security personnel have been deployed across Karachi to ensure safety at protest sites.
4. MWM’s Response:
   • Allama Hassan Zafar Naqvi, an MWM leader, acknowledged the PPP’s request but deferred the decision, citing multiple organizers across protest sites.
   • He reiterated that the protests would end only at the directive of Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, MWM’s central leader.

Background on Parachinar Situation

• Parachinar, a conflict-prone tribal district near the Afghan border, has been the site of ongoing clashes since November.
• Death Toll: Over 130 people killed in recent unrest.
• Humanitarian Crisis: Shortages of essential supplies like medicine and oxygen have worsened due to highway closures.
• Peace Talks: A breakthrough is expected as a grand jirga resumes negotiations in Kohat today at 11am.

Impact on Karachi

The prolonged protests have:

• Severely disrupted daily commutes and caused financial losses for residents and businesses.
• Prompted significant deployment of police and Rangers to maintain order.

As talks progress in Parachinar and within Karachi, hopes remain for a resolution that addresses the grievances of the protesters while minimizing disruptions for the city’s residents.