🚗 Karachi Gridlock Triggered by Protests & Outages Karachi, Pakistan’s megacity, is facing worsening traffic chaos following a wave of power‑outage protests. Notably, a sit‑in near Gharibabad stopped Hasan Square to Liaquatabad, producing a multi‑hour traffic along University Road, with vehicles running out of petrol mid‑jam. Traffic authorities ultimately diverted commuters via different routes like University Road and NIPA to restore flow Dawn +2 AAJ News +2 The Express Tribune +2 . Earlier, cargo trucks abandoned owing to demonstrations over outages near Shahrah‑e‑Faisal, Korangi Road, and Teen Talwar gridlocked important arteries App +2 The Express Tribune +2 Business Recorder +2 . Impact for commuters: Delays of up to 3–4 hours during peak times Spontaneous diversions adding confusion Increased fuel consumption and wear on vehicles
Monsoon rains and flash floods in Pakistan have devastated vital roadways, notably in northern and hill areas: Heavy rains in Gilgit‑Baltistan rained over 400 mm on Murree and Islamabad, producing landslides that shut sections of the Karakoram Highway and roadways in Murree and Galliyat Wikipedia +4 Al Jazeera +4 AP News +4 Arab News . Northern cloudbursts near Chilas triggered landslides and washed away vehicles, disrupting traffic on mountain highways AP News +2 Greenwich Time +2 AP News +2 . National Highway N‑25 (Karachi‑Chaman) sustained monsoon-related sectored damage; latest bridge replacement reopened following April 2025 collapse Wikipedia .
Major Road Infrastructure Project
s âś… Vertical Parking in Bolton Market, Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab inaugurated Karachi’s first vertical parking plaza at Bolton Market, aimed to decongest one of the city’s most busy commercial locations ProPakistani . 🛣️ National Network Upgrades N-25 National Highway: Now a dual carriageway up to motorway standards, financed by a ₨ 300 billion investment plan Wikipedia +3 Wikipedia +3 Wikipedia +3 . M‑6 Motorway: The Karachi‑Hyderabad expressway (306 km) under CPEC projects would link Port Qasim to Sukkur—groundbreaking is underway Wikipedia +1 Business Recorder +1 . Peshawar–D.I. Khan Motorway: A 365 km highway funded via PPP, nearing land acquisition and early construction Wikipedia . Lahore–Sahiwal–Bahawalnagar Motorway: Approved with Rs 437 billion funding, this 295 km road is expected operational by 2025 Wikipedia . Kohsar Tourism Expressway: Rawalpindi–Muzaffarabad road improvement to a 24‑ft expressway, enhancing tourism access Wikipedia .
Traffic Management & Safety Crackdowns
Karachi Traffic Police are busy on X, addressing situations such as removing broken-down automobiles on East district routes to reduce peak congestion AAJ News +4 X (previously Twitter) +4 X (formerly Twitter) +4 . In Lahore, the traffic enforcement campaign issued over 26,000 fines in 48 hours for helmet violations, improving road discipline dailymotion.com +14 Auto Power +14 YouTube +14 .
Risks & Hazards for Road Users Area-wise challenges:
Karachi: Protests against load shedding and power-related sit-ins continue to create periodic traffic lockdowns. Monsoon-affected north: Landslides and roadway collapses are prevalent. Tourists in Gilgit-Baltistan, Murree, and Chilas should check road conditions before travel. Balochistan: Sections of N‑25 are still nicknamed “killer highways” due to high accident rates despite recent upgrades timesofindia.indiatimes.com +9 The Express Tribune +9 Business Recorder +9 Wikipedia . Safety concerns: Heavy vehicles without proper maintenance or compliance pose major hazards—recent tanker accidents crushed two young motorcyclists in Korangi The Express Tribune . Flash floods wash off roadways abruptly, stranding commuters without notice.
✅ What Commuters Should Do Plan ahead: Check Karachi Traffic Police X feed for live updates and diversions. Seek alternatives: Use vertical parking facilities or ride-hailing services amid congestion. Monitor weather alerts: NDMA and PMD forecasts might warn of blocked roads in monsoon-affected zones. Travel off-peak if possible: Avoid rush hours in metro areas, or protest-prone locations. Safety readiness: Carry vehicle emergency kits and sufficient fuel when traveling outside cities. This page is optimized for terms like: “traffic update Karachi”, “Pakistan road conditions July 2025”, “Pakistan traffic news”, “monsoon road damage Pakistan”, “Karachi vertical parking plaza”, “Pakistan motorway projects 2025”.
đź“Ś Final Take
Karachi remains subject to gridlock due to protests and inadequate traffic handling; enforcement initiatives are in place, but unpredictability prevails. Monsoons are harming vital mountain routes, with landslides shutting roadways and hampering transport. Infrastructure projects (motorways, expressways, parking plazas) offer long-term ease, while completion is gradual. Road safety demands attention—authorities are cracking down, but road users must also stay vigilant. Stay informed, travel wisely, and follow updates from traffic authorities and weather services. By planning ahead and staying vigilant, Pakistani commuters can navigate through this complicated period safely and effectively. Latest Traffic & Road News in Pakistan ProPakistani Karachi Gets Vertical Parking Facility After 49-Year Wait Yesterday Auto Power Lahore Traffic Police Helmet Crackdown: Thousands Fined in Citywide Safety Drive Yesterday
