Karachiites suffer inconvenience due to VVIP movements: PDP

KARACHI: The people of Karachi continue to suffer severe inconvenience, mental stress, and economic loss due to prolonged road blockages and extraordinary traffic restrictions imposed during VVIP movements across the megacity, said Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Altaf Shakoor, demanding to save the Karachiites from this curse. He said on several occasions, major arteries and connecting roads are closed for extended periods to facilitate convoys of ministers, politicians and senior officials, resulting in massive traffic jams that paralyse routine life in the megacity. Office workers, students, patients, elderly citizens, businesspersons, and daily wage earners are often stranded for hours without prior information or alternative arrangements. He said Karachi, being the economic backbone of Pakistan, already faces immense traffic pressure because of its growing population, infrastructure limitations, and increasing number of vehicles on the roads. The addition of prolonged protocol-related closures further aggravates the suffering of ordinary citizens. He said citizens and civil society representatives regularly demand of the concerned authorities to adopt modern traffic management practices that minimise public disruption while ensuring necessary security arrangements. He said around the world, many countries successfully manage high-level security movements without bringing entire cities to a standstill. He suggested limiting complete road closures to only a few minutes where absolutely necessary after issuing advance public advisories through media and digital platforms. He asked to use alternative routes for VVIP convoys, besides improving coordination between traffic police and city administration. He recommended prioritising uninterrupted movement for ambulances, school transport, and emergency services. He said public convenience must remain a central priority in the megacity already burdened by long commuting hours and transportation challenges. He said citizens fully respect state institutions and security requirements; however, governance systems should also reflect sensitivity toward the hardships faced by ordinary people. He hoped that the relevant authorities will take practical steps to reduce unnecessary disruptions and ensure a balance between security protocols and the daily rights of the public. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026

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