Karachi opens select routes for light traffic as some restrictions stay in place

• MT Khan, Mai Kolachi shut again.
• Diversions imposed as congestion worsens.
• II Chundrigar faces severe traffic pressure.
  

KARACHI: Some roads in Karachi were reopened for light traffic on Friday, but several routes remained closed as security restrictions continued after deadly protests earlier this week.

MT Khan Road and both carriageways on Mai Kolachi Road were closed as security restrictions remained in place.

Traffic police said traffic from PIDC was being diverted towards Khajoor Chowk, while vehicles coming from Mai Kolachi were being turned back through a U-turn. 

Traffic arriving from Jinnah Bridge was being sent towards II Chundrigar Road, where authorities said severe traffic pressure had built up after the closure of Mai Kolachi Road.

Earlier in the day, traffic police had reopened some routes for light traffic, including the road from Jinnah Bridge towards PIDC, the stretch on Mai Kolachi Road from the gate towards Jinnah Bridge, parts of Jinnah Bridge from the PIDC, MT Khan Road and Mai Kolachi side, and the road from PIDC to Sultanabad, before fresh restrictions were imposed later on Friday.

Residents living within the affected areas would be allowed to enter or leave after showing their identity documents, traffic police said.

Several major roads in Karachi had remained closed for traffic for the fifth consecutive day due to security arrangements following protests that broke out last Sunday after the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Eleven people lost their lives, and several others were injured in Karachi during a demonstration outside the US consulate on Sunday following the Iranian leader’s martyrdom.

Following the demonstrations, according to the traffic police, MT Khan Road had been closed with barriers and personnel in place to restrict movement, while containers had been placed on PIDC Bridge. The roads leading to Jinnah Bridge and Mai Kolachi had also been blocked.

In addition, Jinnah Bridge itself had been closed for traffic with barriers installed, while the Boat Basin to Mai Kolachi Road had also been shut as part of the security measures.

Following the martyrdom of Khamenei, protests broke out in several parts of the world, including Pakistan, with demonstrators carrying black flags and chanting “Down with America!” as well as anti-Israel slogans.

In Karachi, protesters breached the outer wall of the US consulate compound and damaged property. Firing during the incident claimed the lives of at least 11 people.

Reuters reported on Tuesday that US Marines opened fire on demonstrators as they stormed the Karachi consulate over the weekend.

Citing preliminary information, two US officials said it remained unclear whether the rounds fired by Marines hit or killed anyone. They added that it was also unknown whether shots were fired by others guarding the mission, including private security staff and local police.