Schoolchildren face hardship due to road blockades in Karachi

Source: pakistantoday.com.pk

KARACHI: In the aftermath of Iranian President Seyyed Ebrahim Raisi's departure for Tehran, several schools in Karachi remained closed on Wednesday due to ongoing road blockades in certain areas of the city. Despite the reassurance from the education department that all educational institutions were operating as usual, the continued closure of roads, barricaded with containers, posed challenges for students trying to reach their schools near Sharea Faisal and the airport.

The blockade around the Stargate near the airport prevented van drivers from accessing schools, leading to students being returned home. However, school administrations in areas where the blockades were being removed reported that their institutions were open as usual.

According to the traffic police department, main thoroughfares like Sharea Faisal and surrounding roads have been cleared for traffic, including the PIDC intersection, MT Khan road, and Dr Ziauddin Ahmed Road.

Notably, President Raisi departed Karachi for Tehran earlier in the day, concluding his three-day visit to Pakistan, which included stops in Islamabad, Lahore, and Karachi. His visit marked the first by a head of state to Pakistan following the general election on February 8.

Stringent security measures, including air surveillance and temporary internet suspension, were implemented during the president's movements, leading to local holidays being announced in Lahore and Karachi to minimize inconvenience to the public.