Karachi: Two major thoroughfares in Karachi continued to be closed for the second consecutive day on Monday following widespread protests against recent attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel.
The city experienced significant traffic disruptions, especially around the US consulate, where protests erupted on Sunday. Routes to the consulate, including PIDC, Boat Basin, and Tower areas, remain blocked. Containers and barriers have been placed at strategic points such as PIDC Chowk, MT Khan Road, Sultanabad, and near Boat Basin.
Police and Rangers personnel are deployed outside the US consulate in shifts to maintain order. Due to the closures, many schools in affected areas have declared holidays. Some roads, like the PIDC Chowk to Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road, have temporarily reopened.
Protests turned violent at times, with police resorting to shelling near the Central Police Office on II Chundrigar Road. A police post under Sultanabad bridge was set on fire, and at least 34 people were injured with gunshot wounds, according to police and Civil Hospital reports.
The Sindh government has formed a high-level joint investigation team (JIT) to probe the breach of security and vandalism at the US consulate, where protesters breached the outer cordon and damaged property.
