Karachi Residents Protest Over Water and Electricity Outages
In Karachi, people have taken to the streets, blocking Jahangir Road to protest against ongoing water and electricity outages. This protest comes after a week of severe load-shedding, causing daytime power cuts. As a result, traffic police closed both lanes of Jahangir Road, redirecting commuters through PIB Colony.
The Battagram Trade Union has announced a complete strike and sit-in starting Tuesday, refusing to pay electricity bills until the issue is resolved. Small businesses, such as tailors and welders, are severely affected, halting commercial activities and frustrating residents and business owners alike.
The Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) stated that the power cuts were due to a High Court order related to an incident at the Battagram sub-jail. However, the trade union dismissed this reason, arguing that the power cuts were to ensure uninterrupted electricity for CCTV cameras at night. They called the decision an ‘economic murder’ of local traders and demanded immediate restoration of power to protect the economic interests of the community.
Doubts Revealed
Karachi -: Karachi is a large city in Pakistan, which is a country that shares a border with India. It is known for being a major economic and cultural hub.
Protest -: A protest is when people gather together to show that they are unhappy about something and want it to change. In this case, people in Karachi are unhappy about not having water and electricity.
Jahangir Road -: Jahangir Road is a well-known road in Karachi where people gathered to protest. Roads are often used for protests because they are public places where many people can see the protest.
Battagram Trade Union -: A trade union is a group of workers who come together to protect their rights and interests. The Battagram Trade Union is a specific group in Karachi that is involved in the protest.
Strike -: A strike is when workers stop working to show that they are unhappy with something, like their working conditions or pay. In this case, the strike is about electricity and water issues.
Sit-in -: A sit-in is a form of protest where people sit down in a place and refuse to leave until their demands are met. It is a peaceful way to show disagreement.
Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority -: This is an organization in Pakistan responsible for managing water and electricity. They are involved in the situation because they are in charge of the power supply.
High Court -: A High Court is a type of court that deals with important legal cases. In this context, a High Court order is being used as a reason for the power cuts.
