KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has warned that strict action will be taken against sit-ins and protests on major roads in Karachi, following the recent protest by Jamaat-e-Islami that caused severe traffic disruption on Shahrah-e-Faisal.

Speaking to media representatives, the Chief Minister said that blocking key roads for hours is unacceptable and creates serious difficulties for the general public. He emphasized that while peaceful protest is a democratic right, disrupting daily life by blocking major arteries of the city will no longer be tolerated.

“Yesterday, Shahrah-e-Faisal remained blocked for three to four hours. This should not happen. When roads are blocked, ordinary citizens suffer the most,” Murad Ali Shah said. “From now on, we will act strictly against sit-ins and protests on major highways.”

Responding to criticism by Jamaat-e-Islami leadership, particularly Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman, the Chief Minister rejected allegations that the Sindh government represents a “capturing group.” He said that the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) came into power through the votes of the people.

“These people call us a ‘qabza group,’ but they must remember that this government has been elected by the people’s mandate. The public has trusted the Pakistan Peoples Party,” he stated.

Murad Ali Shah advised Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman to either actively participate in the Sindh Assembly or vacate his seat. “If he has been elected, he should come to the assembly and represent his constituents. Otherwise, he should resign so that the people of his constituency are not deprived of representation,” the Chief Minister added.

The Chief Minister also expressed concern over what he described as politicization of the tragic Gul Plaza incident. He said it was unfortunate that a human tragedy was being used for political point-scoring.

“It is surprising to see excessive publicity around the Gul Plaza tragedy. Our objection is not to raising the issue but to those who are using this tragedy for political purposes,” he said, adding that the Sindh government stands firmly with the affected families.

Murad Ali Shah highlighted the relief measures announced by the provincial government following the incident. He stated that the Sindh government had announced financial assistance of Rs 10 million (one crore rupees) per victim for the affected families.

“We personally visited 26 households and handed over the cheques to the families. We did not take the media along because we believe such support should not be publicized for political gain,” he explained.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the provincial government remains committed to supporting victims of tragedies and ensuring accountability, but stressed that exploiting such incidents for protests that disrupt city life is irresponsible.

Referring again to the recent sit-in, Murad Ali Shah said that prolonged road blockades not only inconvenience commuters but also disrupt emergency services, businesses, students, and daily wage earners.

“Protests should not come at the cost of public suffering. Karachi is a city of millions, and even a few hours of road closures can paralyze life,” he said.

He further stated that law enforcement agencies have been instructed to ensure that future demonstrations do not block major roads or highways. “We respect democratic rights, but public order and citizens’ convenience are equally important,” he added.

Murad Ali Shah also reminded political leaders that responsibility comes with public office. “If someone has been elected to the assembly, they should focus on legislative work and public service instead of street politics,” he said.

The Chief Minister’s remarks come amid growing concern over frequent protests in Karachi that often result in traffic jams and public inconvenience. Business communities and civil society groups have repeatedly called for better regulation of demonstrations to balance the right to protest with the public’s right to mobility.

Analysts believe the Sindh government’s warning signals a tougher stance in the coming days, particularly as political tensions continue to rise in the city.

The provincial government has yet to announce specific enforcement measures, but officials indicated that coordination between police and district administrations will be strengthened to prevent prolonged road blockages during protests.