Maps
Magazine

LEGAL

Nationwide Protests Intensify Over Parachinar Violence
Sit-ins across Pakistan continue as protesters demand justice for Parachinar victims and an end to tribal violence. Karachi faces severe traffic disruptions on the 5th day of protests.
ND
by News Desk
2024-12-28
Nationwide Protests Intensify Over Parachinar Violence

Protests against the worsening security situation and ongoing violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Kurram district have spread across Pakistan, causing widespread disruptions, particularly in Karachi, where demonstrators have blocked major roads for five consecutive days.

The demonstrations, spearheaded by the religiopolitical group Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM), were organized to express solidarity with the people of Parachinar, who have been staging their own sit-in since December 20. Protesters are demanding justice for victims of violence and immediate resolution of law and order issues in Kurram.

Triggering Incident

The protests erupted following the brutal killing and decapitation of two individuals in the Bagan area of Kurram. The region has been plagued by deadly tribal clashes rooted in decades-old land disputes, with over 130 fatalities reported since last month.

Kurram residents are also grappling with a humanitarian crisis, as road blockades have resulted in food and medicine shortages. Residents claim scores of children have died due to the lack of supplies, while 613 individuals have been airlifted by the KP government using a helicopter service.

Karachi Paralysis

In Karachi, protests expanded to 13 locations, creating a traffic nightmare across all seven districts. Major thoroughfares such as M.A. Jinnah Road, Sharea Faisal, and University Road have been partially or fully blocked, forcing traffic police to divert vehicles to alternative routes. Despite these measures, long queues of vehicles remain a constant sight, causing hardship to commuters.

The Karachi Traffic Police issued updates via social media, informing citizens of road closures and alternate routes. However, limited relief was observed as protests persisted at key junctions, including Five Star Chowrangi, Shahrah-i-Pakistan, and Malir 15.

Protests in Other Cities

In Lahore, MWM leaders, including Vice Chairman Allama Ahmad Iqbal Rizvi, have been leading protests outside the Lahore Press Club. Meanwhile, Rawalpindi witnessed a rally organized by the Tehreek-i-Nifaz-i-Fiqh-i-Jafariya (TNFJ), which observed a ‘Day of Martyrs and the Oppressed’ in solidarity with the Parachinar victims.

The TNFJ protest, led by Allama Agha Syed Hussain Maqdisi, included a rally from Liaquat Bagh Chowk to Committee Chowk on Murree Road. Similar gatherings were held in mosques nationwide after Friday prayers.

Background of Violence

The violence in Kurram, primarily between Sunni and Shia tribes, escalated following an attack on a convoy in July, which claimed the lives of 52 passengers, including women and children. The latest clashes have further deepened the humanitarian crisis, with residents calling for urgent government intervention to restore peace and open blocked roads.

Call for Action

MWM leaders and local residents demand that the federal and provincial governments take immediate steps to address the security situation and provide relief to the affected population. They have also urged authorities to ensure justice for the victims and resolve tribal disputes to prevent further bloodshed.

As the protests show no signs of abating, pressure mounts on the government to address the root causes of the violence and alleviate the suffering of those in Parachinar.

Top of Form

Bottom of Form
Tagged:

TribalViolence

JusticeForKurram

ParachinarProtests

MWM
Share News: