The Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat (ASWJ) has announced plans to stage protests at 60 different locations across Karachi, escalating tensions in the city following demonstrations by the Majlis-e-Wahdatul-Muslimeen (MWM). The announcement came as ASWJ issued an ultimatum to the government to address the MWM protests by Tuesday at 3 PM or face citywide sit-ins.
ASWJ leaders, during a press conference, outlined their protest strategy, identifying prominent locations such as Liaquatabad, Nazimabad, Hydari Market, Sakhi Hasan Mobile Market, Nagan Chowrangi, 4K Chowrangi, Sohrab Goth, Karimabad, Sharah-e-Faisal, Lasbela Chowk, Civic Centre, Gulshan Chowrangi, Mosmayat Chowk, Baloch Colony, Akhtar Colony, and other key areas. The party stated that demonstrations would begin on Tuesday afternoon if the government fails to meet their demands, according to ARY News.
The ASWJ protests come in response to MWM’s ongoing demonstrations across Karachi, which are part of a broader nationwide call for justice and peace in solidarity with the people of Parachinar. Parachinar has seen six days of protests following violence and killings, with demonstrators demanding immediate government intervention.
Earlier, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab urged the MWM to redirect their protests to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where the issue originated, rather than disrupting life in Karachi. “Karachiites are suffering from a situation that is not related to them,” Wahab said, pointing to the roadblocks caused by MWM’s demonstrations at key thoroughfares in the city.
He further noted that the MWM has been an ally of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), which governs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Wahab added, “We are trying to resolve the issue through talks,” while acknowledging the hardships faced by commuters.
(Inputs from ANI)