Karachi Residents Protest Over Power Cuts and Water Shortages
On Tuesday evening, residents near Karachi’s Isa Nagri staged a protest against frequent power cuts and water shortages. The protest blocked a major road, causing severe traffic jams, including on the Lyari Expressway. Residents expressed frustration over power outages lasting over 12 hours, affecting water supply. Despite complaints to the Water Corporation, no effective measures were taken. Protesters demanded an end to power cuts. After negotiations with police, they dispersed peacefully with assurances their concerns would be addressed. Traffic police then cleared the road. Similar protests have occurred in Karachi, including on Jahangir Road, causing traffic disruptions. In Battagram, the Trade Union announced a strike over power cuts, refusing to pay electricity bills until a stable supply is ensured. Additionally, NEPRA approved a PKR 0.40 per unit electricity rate hike for Karachi, effective January 2025. KMC collected PKR 228 million in municipal utility charges from K-Electric bills in one month, aiming to raise PKR 3 billion annually for city projects and employee pensions. Mayor Murtaza Wahab and Deputy Mayor Salman Abdullah Murad plan to make financial details available online for transparency.
Doubts Revealed
Karachi -: Karachi is a large city in Pakistan, similar to how Mumbai is a big city in India. It’s known for being very busy and having lots of people.
Isa Nagri -: Isa Nagri is a neighborhood or area within Karachi. It’s like a small part of the big city where people live and work.
Power cuts -: Power cuts mean that the electricity is turned off for a while. This can make it hard for people to do things like use lights, fans, or charge their phones.
Water shortages -: Water shortages happen when there isn’t enough water for everyone to use. This can make it difficult for people to drink, cook, or clean.
NEPRA -: NEPRA stands for National Electric Power Regulatory Authority. It’s a group in Pakistan that helps decide how much people should pay for electricity.
PKR -: PKR stands for Pakistani Rupee, which is the money used in Pakistan. It’s like how we use Indian Rupees in India.
KMC -: KMC stands for Karachi Metropolitan Corporation. It’s an organization that helps manage the city of Karachi, like taking care of roads and parks.