Massive traffic gridlock in Karachi leaves commuters frustrated for hours

E-Paper | April 30, 2026

Commuters faced a massive traffic jam on Karachi's Shahra-i-Faisal and connecting roads on Thursday.

The traffic jam was observed in areas near Karsaz, University Road, Stadium Road, Hassan Square, Jail Chowrangi, Liaquatabad and others.

A statement from the Central Police Office said the traffic was jammed due to the Chup Tazia procession, which is held to commemorate the death of Imam Hasan Askari on the 8th of Rabi-ul-Awwal every year.

Taking notice of the issue, IGP Sindh A.D Khawaja directed the city's traffic police to guide the stranded commuters towards alternative routes and clear the gridlock at its earliest.

Many took to Twitter and various social media platforms to air frustration for getting stranded in the gridlock for hours.

One commuter said he was stranded traffic for over three hours at the time he tweeted.

Another said it's as if Karachi's traffic is up for the mannequin challenge.

Nobody could tell what happened but the traffic continued to be jammed for long hours.

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Pakistan

Imtiaz Ali is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 25 years of experience in the field. His reporting portfolio encompasses crime, politics, and the provincial legislature, alongside coverage of the courts, government affairs, and the health sector.

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lafanga

Dec 08, 2016 10:37pm

I am having breathing problems inhaling all that smoke and dust .

Recommend 0

Hakim

Dec 08, 2016 11:55pm

Processions should be banned on the main streets. If someone wants celebrate or otherwise should go to dedicated sites away from the cities.

Recommend 0

hussainy

Dec 09, 2016 12:17am

All kinds of rallies , processions protests and other activities should be strictly on the main roads of the city.

Recommend 0

Smart Solutions

Dec 09, 2016 01:10am

Responsible officials should pay attention to traffic problem as soon as possible. It is better to hold meetings and do some effective planning to solve such traffic problems and minimize inconvenience to general public.

Recommend 0

Muhammad

Dec 09, 2016 02:23am

Unless Karachi is managed by local civilised government servants with zero tolerance for bribe,ChaiPani and Bukhsish,Karachites will remain stranded in traffic jams and what not.It seem Karachi has been conquered by the outside forces.

Recommend 0

Zak

Dec 09, 2016 02:30am

These processions should be in secluded areas outside karachi. No should give permission for such acts.

Recommend 0

flipflop

Dec 09, 2016 02:56am

Only if we follow the rules and perhaps be more civilised half of our issues will be eliminated

Recommend 0

ak4pk

Dec 09, 2016 02:57am

Karachi is well known for its unruly drivers, it is all the more necessary that processions of any kind or colour should not be permitted without the prior approval of the traffic control department. And no permission should be given until such time as a proper traffic diversion plan is in place. The public should be kept well informed about those diversion plans. That, to my knowledge is the established norm. Why is it different in Karachi?

Recommend 0

Sab Se Pehle Pakistan

Dec 09, 2016 07:30am

Thanks to PPP's incompetent government in Sindh for the last 8 years.

Recommend 0

MAKHAN

Dec 09, 2016 09:16am

Can't we restrict such processions within a boundary? We made life miserable of the citizens of Karachi and making them sick and frustrated who wanted to reach homes after their works. Thousands of hours and money in form of petrol have been wasted on the roads. Who is responsible?

Recommend 0

Muhammad Abdul Moiz

Dec 09, 2016 12:09pm

All the protests and rallies should be banned on roads without any discrimination.

Recommend 0

Abdul Majeed

Dec 09, 2016 03:11pm

No body to be blamed the collective "behisi" of the Rulers and those being ruled is the route cause. I have seen more cars and busses in Bangkok, Tokyo, KL and Singapore. People are civilised and have traffic sense. I have rarely seen a traffic cop managing traffic in these cities. No VIP culture and if such processions are to take place they are planned and mostly on Sundays or Holidays are utilised

Recommend 0

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