Karachi [Pakistan], September 18 (ANI): Severe power outages and water shortages sparked a major protest in Baldia Town on Tuesday, as frustrated residents blocked Hub River Road and the Northern Bypass, bringing traffic to a standstill for several hours. The demonstration caused long queues of vehicles, leaving commuters stranded until law enforcement intervened, The Express Tribune reported.
Protesters voiced anger over what they described as the authorities’ ongoing negligence of basic needs. They said the water supply to several Baldia Town neighborhoods had been suspended for nearly a month, creating immense hardships in daily life. Many residents were forced to buy water from private tankers at steep prices. Despite repeated complaints, they said, elected representatives had failed to address their grievances.
Electricity shortages compounded the crisis. Demonstrators reported enduring prolonged, unscheduled load shedding that disrupted household routines and small businesses. They demanded that the administration restore the regular water supply and end the power cuts that have made life unbearable.
Traffic police confirmed that the blockade completely halted vehicular movement on Hub River Road and the Northern Bypass. Alternative routes were arranged to ease congestion, though many drivers still faced long delays due to the scale of the protest. Officials assured the public that efforts would be made to resolve the water and electricity shortages plaguing Baldia Town.
Utility crises have become a recurring problem in Karachi, with Baldia Town among the worst-hit areas. Tuesday’s protest reflects the growing frustration of citizens who feel abandoned amid chronic mismanagement of essential services, according to The Express Tribune. (ANI)
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