Roadblocks wreak havoc on Karachi traffic after PTI denied rally at Mazar-i-Quaid

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A motorcyclist and a pedestrian struggle to continue their journey despite roadblocks, as commuters (right) are forced to turn around after Shahrah-i-Quaideen was blocked with containers.—PPI / Shakil Adil / White Star • Some activists detained near Numaish intersection; policeman injured by stone-pelting • Officials say road closures have nothing to do with PTI rally KARACHI: The sudden closure of roads leading to the mausoleum of Quaid-i-Azam Mohammed Ali Jinnah with containers, as well as the suspension of the BRT Green Line service, after the government refused to grant permission for a rally to the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf, caused a great deal of inconvenience to citizens on Sunday. Meanwhile, a number of PTI activists were also detained in the city ahead of the arrival of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi in Karachi. However, officials insisted that the drastic action was taken in the light of a warning of “security threat” issued by intelligence agencies. Several roads along the Superhighway, Shahrah-i-Quaideen and Rashid Minhas Road near Lucky One were closed to traffic, which compounded traffic problems, according to a traffic police spokesperson. M.A. Jinnah Road and surrounding areas were closed to traffic by authorities, who placed containers and temporary barriers on roads. The bus rapid transit (BRT) Green Line service, which operates from Surjani Town to Numaish Chowrangi on a dedicated track, was also suspended without any prior notice. As a result, a large number of Green Line commuters were left stranded on its dedicated bus stops. Speaking to Dawn, some commuters questioned the purpose of the BRT service if it could also be disrupted by disturbances on public roads, given that it operates on a separate, dedicated track. A road leading to Soldier Bazaar from Numaish was blocked by containers. Similarly, streets leading to Mazar-i-Quaid were closed to traffic with containers placed by authorities. A traffic police spokesperson in a statement said that New M.A. Jinnah Road, Corridor-Three’s both tracks leading to Parking Plaza and Jail Chowrangi were closed because of “security”. The commuters were directed to use “alternative” routes. Similarly, Numaish Chowrangi from all sides was closed to traffic as citizens were asked to use alternative routes. Both tracks of Kashmir Road at Society Signal towards Ayesha Aziz were also closed. In the evening, the traffic police officials said that Shahrah-i-Pakistan’s both tracks had been closed while traffic was diverted to alternative routes. Meanwhile, all the “alternative routes” were also choked with a large number of vehicles. Similarly, Rashid Minhas Road at Lucky One Shopping Mall towards Gulshan-i-Iqbal was blocked. A senior officer claimed that the closure of roads has nothing to do with the PTI rally. He said that the district administration had not given permission to the political party to hold a rally at the Mazar-i-Quaid because of “security reasons”. The officer added that around 150-200 workers of the PTI attempted to reach the Mazar-i-Quaid on Sunday evening. The police tried to prevent them from marching ahead but “they were bent upon disobeying the authorities’ directions”. The workers also allegedly resorted to attacking the policemen with stones, resulting in injuries to one policeman. The law enforcers fired tear gas to disperse them. The officer added that a few workers were also detained during the action. In addition, Aiwan-i-Sadar Road at Fawara Chowk, near Governor House, has been closed to traffic for the last several days because of a continued sit-in by the Jamaat-i-Islami to protest against skyrocketing fuel prices. A traffic police official, who wished not to be named, told Dawn that they had blocked the roads in the metropolis because of a ‘red alert’ issued by law enforcers. A senior police officer, who also wished not to be named, told Dawn that roads leading to the mausoleum of the Quaid-i-Azam were closed by placing containers as security agencies had issued a security threat. Published in Dawn, September 7th, 2026

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