Sit-in protests that paralyzed various parts of the city for eight consecutive days came to an end on Tuesday after police initiated a crackdown to disperse demonstrators.  The protests were held in solidarity with the victims of Kurram district, where over 130 lives were lost due to the lack of medical access, 24NewsHD TV Channel reported. According to the report, demonstrators had blocked key locations, causing significant traffic disruption across the city. 

At Abbas Town, the situation turned tense as police resorted to heavy tear gas shelling and aerial firing to disperse the protesters. Protest tents were dismantled, and clashes erupted, with both sides hurling stones, turning the area into a battlefield. Following the police action, protest camps at Surjani KDA Flats, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, and Five Star Chowrangi were disbanded. Karachi traffic police confirmed that major routes, including Nawab Siddique Ali Khan Road, Numaish Chowrangi, Ayesha Manzil, Sohrab Goth, and Shahrah-e-Pakistan, were reopened for commuters. 

The protests had previously brought major traffic arteries like Shahrah-e-Faisal, Golimar, North Karachi Power House Chowrangi, and University Road to a standstill. Yesterday, authorities managed to reopen the Natha Khan Bridge on Shahrah-e-Faisal and several other critical routes. The eight-day-long demonstrations highlighted the plight of Kurram district residents, drawing attention to their urgent need for medical facilities.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan (INP)