Charged mob protests against load-shedding, water shortage during Eid in Karachi

Residents complain of being deprived of water for 15 days, as well as unannounced load-shedding

KARACHI: About 60-70 water and power starved residents of Mehmoodabad and its surrounding areas briefly blocked main Shahrah-e- Faisal near Nursery on Thursday evening as the mercury soared over 35 degrees Celsius.

Residents claimed that they had been facing severe water shortages for 15 days, while K-electric, Karachi's main power supplier, had also conducted unannounced load-shedding marring Eid festivities.

“They created a law and order situation by pelting stones on passing vehicles and burning tyres” a spokesperson for power company K-electric said.

He further said that the protestors also tried to break electricity poles, to register their protest against the management of K-electric, however, after negotiations with police higher-ups, the protestors dispersed peacefully.

A spokesperson for the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) informed The Express Tribune that there has been a water shortage for the past few months since unannounced load-shedding was also affecting their pumping stations.

However, a K-electric spokesperson refused KWSB allegations, instead claiming that K-electric was abiding by its announcement of not conducting load-shedding in any area of the city or for pumping stations of KWSB.

“If there is any electricity problem, it must be happening due to overloading and line faults” the spokesperson explained.

“Instead of protesting, they should complain to us as our staff is on emergency duty on all days of Eid festivities.”