KARACHI, Nov 21: The city witnessed yet another massive traffic jam on Friday as people marched through various roads and arteries in processions to observe Youm Al-Quds.
Strong contingents of law enforcement agencies were deployed along the routes of the procession to maintain law and order and avoid any untoward incident.
The reports of traffic jams were received from different areas, including Rashid Minhas Road, Johar Morr, Shahrah-i-Quaideen and M. A. Jinnah Road. The worst-hit among affected people were the patients on way to hospitals in ambulances which kept blowing sirens but found no clear way for hours to proceed on amid a flood of jammed vehicles.
Al-Quds Day is observed throughout the Muslim world on the last Friday (Jumatul Wida) of Ramazan to condemn Israeli reign of terror let loose against Palestinians and other Arabs and highlight the plight of those being barred from even offering prayers at the Muslims’ holiest shrines in Israeli control.
Special prayers were offered at all the mosques in Karachi, like other parts of the country, for the liberation of Al-Quds from Israeli occupation.
Despite necessary measures taken by traffic police to ensure a smooth flow of traffic in the city, commuters faced great hardship due to traffic jams at different places. At some places, thousands of commuters, travelling in private and public vehicles, remained stranded for hours as police failed to control the traffic effectively. The mismanagement led to a mess both along the main roads as well as narrow streets and lanes in many localities.
A procession by Imamia Students Organization (ISO) was taken out from Purani Numaish (old Exhibition) roundabout. The protesters marched through the M. A. Jinnah Road and converged on Regal Chowk where the procession was terminated. All roads leading to the procession’s route were closed by the traffic police causing severe hardship to motorists.
Due to the closure of M. A. Jinnah Road, the traffic proceeding toward Purani Numaish was diverted to Garden and Soldier Bazaar, where hundreds of commuters were trapped in the deluge of traffic. Most of could not reach their destinations by the time of Iftar.
Another procession, organized by different religious groups, started from Regal Chowk and culminated at Empress Market where several leaders addressed the participants.
The speakers called for a joint struggle for the liberation of Al-Quds. They declared the very existence of Israel as ‘a constant threat to Ummah.’
Many other small processions and rallies were organized at various places in the city to express solidarity with Palestinians.
While closure of roads along the processions’ routes caused massive and prolonged traffic jams on Abdullah Haroon Road, Shahrah-i-Iraq and other adjoining roads in Saddar, a heavy load of traffic was witnessed on Sharea Faisal.