Protesters block Baloch Colony Expressway for hours

Shopkeepers warn to regroup in three days if action not taken

KARACHI: Increase in the incidents of snatching and robberies around the Baloch Colony Expressway have led to protests by traders and shopkeepers of Manzoor Colony's furniture market.

The market was completely shut down on Tuesday as furious protesters chanted slogans against the police and blocked both tracks of the expressway, causing an hour-long traffic jam on the main artery and around Qayyumabad’s KPT flyover as well and other areas in its vicinity.

Shops and businesses around Manzoor Colony's furniture market are being increasingly targeted by burglars, forcing the shopkeepers to organise the protest. Carrying placards and banners, the protesters condemned the inaction by the police and government and demanded for immediate resolution of their grievances.

“We are fed up of robbers and there has been no action from the police. In the past month, incidents of thefts and robberies have increased manifold. We nabbed and handed over a few criminals to the police ourselves but they were released,” a protester said, adding that it appears that the police are backing criminals.



The protesters lamented that armed robbers break into whichever shop they want and loot valuables even during daytime. “There is hardly any response when the incident is reported to the police. Cars and shopkeepers are mugged irrespective of the time, be it morning or night,” another protester said, adding that the police has not deployed any force despite being aware of the prevalent crime rate in the area.

The police assured the demonstrators that their demands will be acted upon. The protesters soon dispersed on their own, warning that they will return to the streets if action against the culprits is not taken within three days.

Due to the blockage, commuters faced great inconvenience as a result of an hour-long traffic jam.