On July 12, 2025, residents of Karachi’s Punjab Colony blocked both lanes of the main road leading to Defence Mor in protest against prolonged power and water shortages. The demonstration, sparked by K-Electric’s disconnection of electricity to a residential building housing 80 flats, caused massive traffic congestion — stranding commuters for over four hours in Punjab Colony, Boat Basin, and nearby areas. Traffic police diverted light vehicles through the Gizri underpass and rerouted Korangi traffic toward Khayaban-e-Jami to manage the gridlock.
The protest began after K-Electric reportedly cut off power at around 11am on Friday following an operation targeting illegal connections in the nearby PNT Colony. That operation led to a dispute between K-Electric staff and local residents. However, residents of the affected building claimed they were not involved in the altercation and said they were unfairly subjected to the power cut.
Posts on X echoed this frustration, with users criticizing K-Electric for mishandling the situation. The protest ended after around five hours, following authorities’ assurance that electricity would be restored. Traffic flow returned to normal once both tracks from Punjab Colony to Defence Mor were reopened.
Karachi’s broader water crisis — made worse by frequent power outages that affect key pumping stations like Dhabeji — continues to fuel public discontent, with the city reportedly facing a daily shortfall of over 350 million gallons.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 12th, 2025
Follow SouthAsianDesk on X, Instagram and Facebook for insights on business and current affairs from across South Asia.
