ACHI, July 12, 2025 — Protests erupted in Karachi’s Punjab Colony on Saturday morning as frustrated residents took to the streets over prolonged electricity and water shortages. The demonstrators blocked both sides of the main road leading to Defence Mor, sparking a traffic crisis that lasted for more than four hours and left thousands of commuters stranded.
The protest began early in the morning, around 7:00 a.m., when a group of residents gathered on the road and refused to disperse, demanding immediate action from K-Electric and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC). With placards in hand and chanting slogans against local authorities, the protestors, which included men, women, and even children, set up blockades using stones, burning tyres, and wooden planks.
Traffic Comes to a Halt
The blockade caused severe traffic disruption across the city, particularly around Punjab Colony, Boat Basin, and Defence Mor. Vehicles, including school vans, office transport, buses, and ambulances, were caught in the massive gridlock. Many commuters remained stuck in their vehicles for hours without access to water or washrooms.
“I left my house at 8:00 a.m. to drop my children to school, and now it’s almost noon. We’ve been stuck here for over three hours,” said Sania Kamal, a resident of DHA Phase II. “This is not just frustrating—it’s dangerous. There was an ambulance behind us that kept honking, but there was no space for it to move.”
Traffic Diversions Implemented
In response to the escalating situation, Karachi traffic police devised an alternative traffic plan. According to officials, light vehicles coming from Clifton and Saddar were diverted through the Gizri underpass. Meanwhile, vehicles coming from Korangi and Korangi Road were rerouted towards Khayaban-e-Jami and Sunset Boulevard.
Despite the diversion plan, heavy congestion was reported in alternate routes as well, causing further inconvenience to city residents. Motorists expressed their anger on social media, blaming both utility providers and city administration for poor planning and lack of timely intervention.
The Cause of the Protest
According to local residents, the protest was triggered after K-Electric allegedly disconnected power to several buildings in Punjab Colony on Friday around 11:00 a.m. Residents claim that despite repeated complaints and visits to local K-Electric offices, no action was taken to restore power, leaving them without electricity for over 20 hours.
Adding to their misery, the water supply to the area had also been suspended for the last two days. This dual crisis of water and electricity led residents to believe that the only way to get attention was by blocking the main road.
“We’re not animals. How are we supposed to survive in this heat without water and electricity?” said Muhammad Nadeem, a 42-year-old resident of Punjab Colony. “We’ve called K-Electric multiple times, but they don’t answer. When they do, they say there’s a technical issue. Is this our fault?”
Another protester, Shazia Parveen, expressed similar frustration: “My mother is diabetic and has to take insulin, which we keep in the fridge. There has been no electricity since yesterday morning. How are we supposed to preserve her medicine?”
K-Electric Responds
In a statement issued Saturday afternoon, K-Electric acknowledged the outage in parts of Punjab Colony and attributed it to “a major fault in the local transformer due to overloading.” The company said that teams had been dispatched to the area to carry out repairs and power would be restored at the earliest.
“We understand the inconvenience caused to our valued customers and assure them that efforts are underway to resolve the issue,” the statement read. “However, we request residents to avoid illegal use of electricity and overloading, which often leads to such breakdowns.”
Residents, however, rejected this explanation, accusing K-Electric of making excuses. “They always blame overloading, but never upgrade the system. Every summer we go through the same torture,” said another protester.
Water Crisis Deepens
While K-Electric cited a technical fault, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) has yet to issue any formal statement regarding the water shortage in Punjab Colony. Residents say this is not the first time the area has faced water cuts.
“Water tankers now cost over Rs. 6,000, and we can’t afford this every week,” said a local schoolteacher. “The KWSC is supposed to supply water through the pipeline network. Why are we being forced to buy water?”
The Karachi water crisis has been worsening in recent months, with many localities in Clifton, DHA, Lyari, and Korangi also reporting reduced or no water supply. Illegal hydrants and tanker mafias are often blamed for creating artificial shortages and selling water at inflated prices.
Political Leaders Speak Out
The protest gained widespread attention on social media and prompted responses from several political figures. PTI Karachi President Firdous Shamim Naqvi condemned the negligence of the provincial government and demanded a transparent investigation into K-Electric’s alleged mismanagement.
“These are not isolated incidents. Karachi’s entire infrastructure is collapsing. The PPP-led Sindh government must take responsibility,” he said during a press briefing.
Meanwhile, PPP MPA Sharmila Faruqi responded by urging K-Electric and KWSC to coordinate more effectively to avoid such crises. “Citizens should not be forced to protest to get basic rights like electricity and water,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Police Presence and Negotiations
Law enforcement personnel, including officers from Clifton and Frere police stations, reached the protest site by mid-morning. However, they refrained from using force and instead initiated negotiations with protest leaders.
After more than four hours of road blockage, an agreement was reached between residents and officials. The protesters agreed to end the demonstration around 11:30 a.m. after receiving assurances that power would be restored within two hours and the water issue would be addressed by the evening.
“We have decided to call off the protest for now, but if the authorities fail to act, we will return with a larger protest,” warned protest leader Shahid Malik.
Broader Context: Karachi’s Energy Woes
Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and economic hub, continues to grapple with chronic energy and utility problems. Despite promises of modernization and billions of rupees in investment, citizens routinely face load-shedding, water shortages, and overflowing sewage.
According to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), the city has a power demand of around 3,200 megawatts in summer, while K-Electric’s generation capacity remains below required levels. Frequent faults in transformers, cable theft, and unpaid bills also contribute to outages.
Similarly, Karachi’s water supply infrastructure is deteriorating, with over 30% of water lost to leakages and theft, according to KWSC estimates. The city’s daily water demand is about 1,100 million gallons, while supply from Dhabeji and Hub dams barely meets 50% of the requirement.
Citizens Demand Long-Term Solutions
While temporary relief was provided to Punjab Colony residents, the protest highlights deeper, unresolved issues plaguing Karachi’s infrastructure. Citizens are increasingly demanding accountability, transparency, and long-term planning.
“We’re tired of band-aid solutions. Karachi needs a complete overhaul of its electricity and water supply systems,” said urban planning expert Engr. Salman Rashid. “Unless investments are made in infrastructure and governance, such protests will continue—and might even escalate.”
Social activists have also called for public hearings and community forums to allow residents to voice concerns and hold service providers accountable.
Conclusion
Saturday’s protest in Punjab Colony was not just about a power cut or a dry water tap. It was a cry of desperation from residents who feel abandoned by the very systems meant to serve them. While the protest ended peacefully, it has left a strong message: the people of Karachi are no longer willing to suffer in silence.
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ACHI, July 12, 2025 — Protests erupted in Karachi’s Punjab Colony on Saturday morning as frustrated residents took to the streets over prolonged electricity and water shortages. The demonstrators blocked both sides of the main road leading to Defence Mor, sparking a traffic crisis that lasted for more than four hours and left thousands of commuters stranded.
The protest began early in the morning, around 7:00 a.m., when a group of residents gathered on the road and refused to disperse, demanding immediate action from K-Electric and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC). With placards in hand and chanting slogans against local authorities, the protestors, which included men, women, and even children, set up blockades using stones, burning tyres, and wooden planks.
Traffic Comes to a Halt
The blockade caused severe traffic disruption across the city, particularly around Punjab Colony, Boat Basin, and Defence Mor. Vehicles, including school vans, office transport, buses, and ambulances, were caught in the massive gridlock. Many commuters remained stuck in their vehicles for hours without access to water or washrooms.
“I left my house at 8:00 a.m. to drop my children to school, and now it’s almost noon. We’ve been stuck here for over three hours,” said Sania Kamal, a resident of DHA Phase II. “This is not just frustrating—it’s dangerous. There was an ambulance behind us that kept honking, but there was no space for it to move.”
Traffic Diversions Implemented
In response to the escalating situation, Karachi traffic police devised an alternative traffic plan. According to officials, light vehicles coming from Clifton and Saddar were diverted through the Gizri underpass. Meanwhile, vehicles coming from Korangi and Korangi Road were rerouted towards Khayaban-e-Jami and Sunset Boulevard.
Despite the diversion plan, heavy congestion was reported in alternate routes as well, causing further inconvenience to city residents. Motorists expressed their anger on social media, blaming both utility providers and city administration for poor planning and lack of timely intervention.
The Cause of the Protest
According to local residents, the protest was triggered after K-Electric allegedly disconnected power to several buildings in Punjab Colony on Friday around 11:00 a.m. Residents claim that despite repeated complaints and visits to local K-Electric offices, no action was taken to restore power, leaving them without electricity for over 20 hours.
Adding to their misery, the water supply to the area had also been suspended for the last two days. This dual crisis of water and electricity led residents to believe that the only way to get attention was by blocking the main road.
“We’re not animals. How are we supposed to survive in this heat without water and electricity?” said Muhammad Nadeem, a 42-year-old resident of Punjab Colony. “We’ve called K-Electric multiple times, but they don’t answer. When they do, they say there’s a technical issue. Is this our fault?”
Another protester, Shazia Parveen, expressed similar frustration: “My mother is diabetic and has to take insulin, which we keep in the fridge. There has been no electricity since yesterday morning. How are we supposed to preserve her medicine?”
K-Electric Responds
In a statement issued Saturday afternoon, K-Electric acknowledged the outage in parts of Punjab Colony and attributed it to “a major fault in the local transformer due to overloading.” The company said that teams had been dispatched to the area to carry out repairs and power would be restored at the earliest.
“We understand the inconvenience caused to our valued customers and assure them that efforts are underway to resolve the issue,” the statement read. “However, we request residents to avoid illegal use of electricity and overloading, which often leads to such breakdowns.”
Residents, however, rejected this explanation, accusing K-Electric of making excuses. “They always blame overloading, but never upgrade the system. Every summer we go through the same torture,” said another protester.
Water Crisis Deepens
While K-Electric cited a technical fault, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) has yet to issue any formal statement regarding the water shortage in Punjab Colony. Residents say this is not the first time the area has faced water cuts.
“Water tankers now cost over Rs. 6,000, and we can’t afford this every week,” said a local schoolteacher. “The KWSC is supposed to supply water through the pipeline network. Why are we being forced to buy water?”
The Karachi water crisis has been worsening in recent months, with many localities in Clifton, DHA, Lyari, and Korangi also reporting reduced or no water supply. Illegal hydrants and tanker mafias are often blamed for creating artificial shortages and selling water at inflated prices.
Political Leaders Speak Out
The protest gained widespread attention on social media and prompted responses from several political figures. PTI Karachi President Firdous Shamim Naqvi condemned the negligence of the provincial government and demanded a transparent investigation into K-Electric’s alleged mismanagement.
“These are not isolated incidents. Karachi’s entire infrastructure is collapsing. The PPP-led Sindh government must take responsibility,” he said during a press briefing.
Meanwhile, PPP MPA Sharmila Faruqi responded by urging K-Electric and KWSC to coordinate more effectively to avoid such crises. “Citizens should not be forced to protest to get basic rights like electricity and water,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Police Presence and Negotiations
Law enforcement personnel, including officers from Clifton and Frere police stations, reached the protest site by mid-morning. However, they refrained from using force and instead initiated negotiations with protest leaders.
After more than four hours of road blockage, an agreement was reached between residents and officials. The protesters agreed to end the demonstration around 11:30 a.m. after receiving assurances that power would be restored within two hours and the water issue would be addressed by the evening.
“We have decided to call off the protest for now, but if the authorities fail to act, we will return with a larger protest,” warned protest leader Shahid Malik.
Broader Context: Karachi’s Energy Woes
Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and economic hub, continues to grapple with chronic energy and utility problems. Despite promises of modernization and billions of rupees in investment, citizens routinely face load-shedding, water shortages, and overflowing sewage.
According to the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), the city has a power demand of around 3,200 megawatts in summer, while K-Electric’s generation capacity remains below required levels. Frequent faults in transformers, cable theft, and unpaid bills also contribute to outages.
Similarly, Karachi’s water supply infrastructure is deteriorating, with over 30% of water lost to leakages and theft, according to KWSC estimates. The city’s daily water demand is about 1,100 million gallons, while supply from Dhabeji and Hub dams barely meets 50% of the requirement.
Citizens Demand Long-Term Solutions
While temporary relief was provided to Punjab Colony residents, the protest highlights deeper, unresolved issues plaguing Karachi’s infrastructure. Citizens are increasingly demanding accountability, transparency, and long-term planning.
“We’re tired of band-aid solutions. Karachi needs a complete overhaul of its electricity and water supply systems,” said urban planning expert Engr. Salman Rashid. “Unless investments are made in infrastructure and governance, such protests will continue—and might even escalate.”
Social activists have also called for public hearings and community forums to allow residents to voice concerns and hold service providers accountable.
Conclusion
Saturday’s protest in Punjab Colony was not just about a power cut or a dry water tap. It was a cry of desperation from residents who feel abandoned by the very systems meant to serve them. While the protest ended peacefully, it has left a strong message: the people of Karachi are no longer willing to suffer in silence.
