Karachi Traffic Police Announces Diversion Routes Amid Protests Against Parachinar Situation
Commuters in Karachi faced severe difficulties on December 27, 2024, as the Majlis Wahdat-e-Muslimeen (MWM) staged sit-ins across several key roads in the city to protest the situation in Parachinar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The protests, which began the previous day, blocked major arteries, resulting in traffic jams during the morning rush hour.
In response, additional contingents of traffic and district police were deployed to manage the situation. A traffic diversion plan was also put in place to accommodate commuters, as at least six major roads were closed. The closed roads included M.A. Jinnah Road, Numaish Chowrangi, Abul Hasan Isphahani Road, Five Star Chowrangi, University Road, Shahra-e-Faisal, and National Highway.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah appealed to the protesters not to cause hardship to citizens, stressing that blocking roads in Karachi and Sukkur would not resolve the Parachinar issue. The MWM is protesting the deteriorating law and order in Parachinar, where recent clashes have resulted in over 130 deaths, including reports of over 100 children dying due to a lack of medicines.
EU Issues ‘Scam Alert’ for Pakistanis Seeking Visas and Consular Appointments
Caution Against Fake Listings and Contact Information on Google Maps
The European Union (EU) office has issued a “scam alert” warning Pakistani citizens about misleading information being circulated by criminal organizations regarding visa and consular appointments. The EU Delegation to Pakistan stated that fake listings of embassies and incorrect contact details, including phone numbers, have been found on Google Maps.
The EU office emphasized that citizens should rely only on official websites of EU member states’ embassies for authentic visa and consular information. The EU Delegation clarified that they do not issue passports or visas; these are handled by the embassies or consulates of individual member states.
Pakistani citizens planning to travel to Schengen Area countries are advised to contact the relevant embassy for accurate visa information. The Schengen visa allows free movement within the Schengen Area, which includes most EU states and a few non-EU countries.
