LAHORE: Demonstrators took to the streets in major cities around the country on Saturday to protest massive crackdown by security forces in Islamabad to disperse the protestors who had staged the sit-in for weeks. Protesters have started gathering at key points across the country including Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpur Azad Kashmir, Tando Allahyar, Jacobabad, Chakwal, Sabrial, Faisalabad and Gujranwala. Protesters at the Karachi’s Numaish Chowrangi have shut down the access roads and forcefully closed all the shops in the area. Read more: Islamabad sit-in: Security forces launch massive operation to disperse protesters Chief Minister Sindh (CM) Murad Ali Shah has also taken notice of sit-ins and protests in various areas of Karachi, and has directed Inspector General (IG) Sindh AD Khawaja and Commissioner Karachi Aijaz Ahmed Khan to deploy police and law enforcement agencies and disperse the protesters. “No one will be allowed to paralyse the city,” CM said. He also directed DIG traffic to ensure smooth traffic flow in the city. As per reports, protests are taking place near Jillani Centre near Tower, on Hasan Square, at Star Gate as well as in Sohrab Goth. The sit-in has been ongoing since the last seven days in solidarity with the Faizabad sit-in. Protestors have blocked the Shaheed-e-Millat Expressway. Protestors at Al Asif Square have severed the main road link between Karachi and Hyderabad. Security officials were forced to resort to tear gas shelling to disperse protesters at Star Gate.