JI announces protest against prolonged loadshedding

Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi chief Munim Zafar Khan on Sunday announced a public protest against prolonged load-shedding by K-Electric, saying power outages lasting up to 18 hours had made life miserable for residents.

Addressing a press conference at Idara Noor-e-Haq, he said even consumers paying their bills regularly were subjected to prolonged outages, which also disrupted water supplies and affected students, elderly people and children.

Calling K-Electric a "white elephant", Munim questioned its performance following privatisation, despite additional charges levied on consumers. He said the JI would continue its campaign for Karachiites' rights.

Highlighting the law and order situation, he claimed around 41,500 street crime incidents were reported in Karachi between January and September 30, 2026, including approximately 23,000 motorcycle theft and snatching cases and 15,000 mobile phone snatching incidents. He urged the Sindh government and police to take effective measures to protect citizens.

Munim also criticised delays in the K-IV water project's expansion, saying around 96 kilometres of pipelines were planned. He raised concerns over the quality and pace of work from Nipa to Hassan Square and warned that further excavation could aggravate traffic congestion, particularly on University Road, already affected by the Red Line project.

On education, he demanded transparency in the recent Medical and Dental College Admission Test (MDCAT), saying the JI had written to the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council president seeking question papers, an independent review of the top 100 candidates' results and disclosure of examination fee collections.

He also called for an impartial investigation into the results of around 150 LLB students at the University of Karachi, urging authorities to establish responsibility for any irregularities.

Commenting on Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Munim said governor's rule would not resolve the province's problems and called for democratic political engagement. He also urged respect for Karachi's electoral mandate and accountability over the city's civic problems.

The JI leader said the party would continue its Haq Do Karachi movement and a signature campaign seeking the withdrawal of the petroleum levy.