Commuters returning home from work or heading towards the city centre on Wednesday evening suffered a prolonged traffic jam on Karachi’s MA Jinnah Road, according to officials and citizens.

People were stuck in traffic jams for hours during the peak evening rush after the main thoroughfare of MA Jinnah road near Numaish Chowrangi was closed by police for security reasons.

The city’s traffic police had announced different diversions after the closure of the route, leading to traffic chaos, prompting Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to take notice.

Karachi Traffic Police (KTP) Deputy Inspector General Pir Mohammed Shah told Dawn that all traffic officers were present on the roads.

He said a portion of the main MA Jinnah road was closed for traffic, which had caused the traffic jam.

The city traffic police chief admitted that the citizens were facing immense inconvenience due to gridlocks. He said the roads near Numaish Chowrangi were closed for traffic because of security reasons, and diversions were provided to the citizens for the smooth flow of traffic.

CM Shah directed Karachi’s additional inspector general of police to restore the flow of traffic. “Traffic police should be activated immediately for restoration of the traffic flow,” he said, and summoned a situation report.

CM Shah warned officers of strict action if the traffic flow was not restored.

“Wherever there is a traffic jam, responsible officers will face action,” he declared, directing timely action for the convenience of the general public.