KARACHI: A high security alert has been issued in the metropolis after the bomb blast that occurred in a mosque during Friday prayer in Peshawar.

“Naturally, in the wake of the Peshawar blast, security has been put on high alert in Karachi,” said DIG-South Sharjeel Kharal.

He said police had been deployed at ‘sensitive’ Imambargahs and mosques across the metropolis while patrolling had also been enhanced. Extra policemen have been called from different units to meet any eventuality, he added.

On Friday evening, a protest rally to condemn the Peshawar blast was organised by the Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen.

A large number of people, including women and children, participated in the mourning procession, which was taken out from Imambargah Shah-i-Khurasan near Numaish on main M.A. Jinnah Road.

The rally passed through different areas via M. A. Jinnah Road and reached Fawara Chowk near Governor House. However, roads leading to Governor House were closed by law enforcers and the city administration by placing containers.

A traffic police spokesperson said that a traffic jam on M. A. Jinnah Road from Numaish traffic intersection towards Tibet Centre and adjoining roads caused problems to commuters.

The traffic police said that Aiwan-i-Saddar Road from Fawara Chowk was closed for traffic because of security reasons. The traffic was diverted to its alternative routes.

Published in Dawn, March 5th, 2022