The protests in Karachi’s Jahangir Road over prolonged water and electricity outages, alongside a complete strike declared by the Battagram Trade Union over severe power outages, reflect widespread frustration with the infrastructure issues in Pakistan. These events have resulted in significant disruptions, with traffic chaos in Karachi and economic paralysis in Battagram.
In Karachi, the protest led to the closure of both lanes of Jahangir Road, causing delays in traffic from Guru Mandir to Teen Hatti. The traffic police redirected vehicles to alternate routes, but commuters faced considerable inconvenience. The primary issue appears to be the prolonged lack of water and electricity, vital services that residents have been deprived of.
Also Read: Karachi Man Killed by Robbers After Selling Wife’s Jewelry for Daughter’s Medical Treatment
Meanwhile, in Battagram, the trade union has called for a complete shutdown, protesting against continuous and unusual load-shedding. The economic consequences are severe, with tailors, welders, and other small businesses unable to operate due to daytime power cuts. The union’s refusal to pay electricity bills until the situation improves indicates a deepening crisis, compounded by allegations that the outages are linked to maintaining CCTV camera operations in a local sub-jail at night.
Both incidents highlight the growing discontent over essential service outages, and the lack of timely resolution could lead to further unrest if the grievances of residents and traders are not addressed promptly.
