Various religious and political groups held protests in Karachi on Sunday against the recent decision by US President Donald Trump to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

The main protest was held near the US Consulate in Karachi where the religious activists burnt flags of the United States and Israel and chanted slogans.

The rallies caused massive traffic jams in the downtown area of the metropolis, as several arteries were closed particularly in the South district leading to the American consulate.

Majlis Wahdat-i-Muslimeen (MWM) started their protest rally from Numaish Chowrangi on main M.A. Jinnah Road and travelled through various routes before arrived on M.T. Khan Road, which leads to the US consulate.

The police had already placed containers and created temporary hurdles, preventing the protesters from moving toward the consulate.

Karachi-South DIG Azad Khan said that the protesters did not try to move further on M.T. Khan Road and dispersed peacefully after delivering speeches.

The MWM activists also set flags of US and Israel on fire, however, no untoward incident was reported from any area.

Speaking on the occasion, the MWM leaders accused that if Arab states had not done “collusion” with the US, Washington would not have “dared to declare the Muslims’ first Qibla as the capital of a Jewish state”.

Donald Trump has violated the international law and hatched a conspiracy to engulf the Middle East in flames, they added.

The religious leaders asked the Muslim rulers to go beyond their narrow interests and chalk out a joint future line of action.

They were of the view that since the Arab states were major procures of arms from the US, their [Arab’s] possible decision of ending diplomatic ties may force Trump to take back his decision.

Separately, Difa-i-Pakistan Council took out a rally against the US president. The rally started from Safari Park on main University Road and culminated at Islamia College near Jail Chowrangi.

Furthermore, Tehreek-i-Labbaik Pakistan also took out a rally from Bahadurabad Chowrangi to Numaish roundabout and denounced the decision of declaring Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.

Meanwhile, Pakistan People's Party (Shaheed Bhutto group) also held protest demonstration outside the Karachi Press Club.