Karachi [Pakistan], August 23 (ANI): Power riots broke out across several parts of Pakistan's commercial capital Karachi as angry residents staged hours-long protests against extended and unannounced electricity blackouts, blocking major roads and burning tyres to demand immediate restoration of power, Dawn reported.
The public unrest erupted on Saturday across Pak Colony, Liaquatabad, Gharibabad, Nishtar Road, Bhimpura, and Ranchore Line, bringing traffic to a complete standstill in key sectors of the city and leaving thousands of commuters stranded.
In Liaquatabad, demonstrators blocked main intersections, disrupting vehicular movement between Civic Centre and Liaquatabad for several hours.
In Pak Colony, residents, together with members of local union committees, organised rallies to voice outrage over severe daily power cuts and the resulting water shortages.
On Nishtar Road, agitation escalated following altercations between traders and K-Electric (KE) personnel over persistent blackouts, with tyres set ablaze at several points.
In Bhimpura and Ranchore Line, shopkeepers joined hands with residents, stating that business operations had been severely impacted by the erratic power supply.
According to Dawn, the extensive road blockades triggered severe traffic gridlocks that rapidly spilt over into District South and adjacent localities.
As traditional Chup Tazia processions were also being taken out on Saturday, multiple thoroughfares were closed off, leading to widespread congestion. The violent street protests drastically worsened the situation, leaving commuters trapped in massive traffic jams.
Asif Khan, an employee at a private firm, recounted that he left his office on I.I. Chundrigarh Road around 5 pm and, travelling via S.I.T.E, required four hours to cover the distance to Liaquatabad.
A resident of Gulshan-i-Iqbal stated that her mother was suffering from a high fever and they had booked an appointment with their family physician in Saddar. "We started our journey towards the clinic for her medical examination, but our ambulance got stuck for at least two hours near Civic Centre."
Dawn reported that another stranded commuter, Imran from Gharibabad, voiced deep frustration over the infrastructure collapse, stating, "We pay bills on time but still face 12-hour power outages. Today we couldn't even reach home. The whole city is jammed because of both the procession and these protests."
Extensive queues of vehicles were seen along routes leading to Civic Centre, S.I.T.E, Saddar, and other parts of central Karachi. Although traffic police diverted vehicles to alternative routes, those channels were also completely choked.
According to residents cited by Dawn, households have been forced to endure up to 12 hours or more of daily power cuts, with shutdowns frequently implemented at short notice.
Protesters highlighted that the electricity crisis had crippled the municipal water supply network, as pumping stations remained non-functional during blackouts. "Bill-paying citizens are being punished with 12-hour load-shedding," a protester in Liaquatabad stated.
A resident of Gharibabad lamented that food supplies were spoiling in refrigerators, children were unable to study, and families were deprived of sleep at night as ceiling fans could not operate without power.
Dawn reported that a KE spokesperson defended the utility, claiming that outstanding arrears owed by defaulters in Bandhani Colony and Rexer Line areas have exceeded PKR 3 billion. "Despite repeated kunda removal drives, residents in the area continue to engage in electricity theft and default on their bills," the spokesperson added.
The spokesperson further noted that the exact duration of load-shedding is determined by "electricity theft and the level of losses in the area". (ANI)
Crippling power crisis triggers violent street riots, total transit chaos in Pakistan's Karachi
