KARACHI:
Major roads in the metropolis remained closed for a second straight day on Monday as heightened security around the US consulate continued to disrupt traffic across key commercial corridors.
According to the Karachi Traffic Police, all routes leading to the US Consulate General have been sealed due to security concerns and the threat of potential protests. The authorities have placed containers and other barricades at several points to limit access.
The stretch from PIDC Chowk to MT Khan Road towards Sultanabad has been completely closed, with containers blocking traffic. Similarly, the road from Tower to Mai Kolachi has been closed, while access from the Boat Basin to Mai Kolachi remains blocked.
Commuters traveling from Bilawal House and Clifton towards Jinnah Bridge via Mai Kolachi have been advised to take an alternate route through Boat Basin to Teen Talwar and then proceed via Clifton Bridge, Metropole and Fountain Chowk before turning left towards Shaheen Complex.
Motorists coming from ICI Chowk and Mauripur Road to Boat Basin can turn left from Jinnah Bridge onto II Chundrigar Road. Alternatively, travelers from ICI Chowk can use the route via Katiyana Memon Hospital to Nawab Mahabat Khanji Road. Those going from Sharae Faisal towards Jinnah Bridge have been asked to turn right at PID and proceed via Shaheen Complex and II Chundrigar Road.
While the road from PIDC Chowk to Ziauddin Road leading to CM House has been reopened after earlier closures, a track of Sharae Faisal of FTC towards Metropole remains closed for another day. Traffic on that stretch is diverted towards Saddar through a U-turn at Gora Qabristan.
Police said the measures were taken in response to security threats and the possibility of demonstrations. Despite the closures, traffic continued to move smoothly on other major arteries including MA Jinnah Road, University Road, Defense Korangi Road, Shahrah-e-Pakistan, Rashid Minhas Road, Abul Hasan Isphahani Road and National Highway.
The ripple effects were felt beyond the roads as several nearby schools, colleges and universities remained closed due to security concerns, while many offices opted to work remotely. However, some businesses suspended operations altogether, adding to the sense of a city on edge.
