Several major thoroughfares in Karachi were blocked or affected by traffic disruptions on Friday as Jamaat-i-Islami held protest sit-ins in the city as part of a nationwide demonstration against the petroleum levy.

A day earlier, the party announced that it would stage sit-ins at 510 locations across the country by blocking major roads.

In a traffic advisory issued, the Karachi traffic police warned that traffic flow could be affected due to the protests and sit-ins, with slow-moving traffic, temporary diversions and partial road closures expected on several major thoroughfares.

The affected areas included Mazar-i-Quaid, Numaish Chowrangi, Saddar, Shahrah-i-Faisal, Shahrah-i-Pakistan, UP Mor, Power House Chowrangi, Defence Housing Authority, Sea View, Shahrah-i-Orangi, Hub River Road, Super Highway and National Highway.

The traffic police advised citizens to avoid travelling to the affected areas unless necessary, and urged them to select alternative routes and allow extra travel time before setting out.

Meanwhile, according to the latest updates shared on JI Karachi’s official X account, party workers had begun staging sit-ins at the announced locations.

According to the updates, workers had blocked the road leading to Natha Khan from Shahrah-i-Faisal. The Super Highway and Hub River Road were also blocked.

More to follow