Citizens stage protest against loadshedding on Karachi's Mauripur Road

KARACHI: Frustrated by unannounced and prolonged power loadshedding, citizens of Lyari area have staged a protest against K-Electric (KE) on Mauripur Road in Karachi, ARY News reported on Tuesday.

According to details, a large number of residents – under the leadership of Jamat-e-Islami (JI) MPA Syed Abdul Rasheed – have blocked the Mauripur Road, protesting against the K-Electric over prolonged power loadshedding.

The protesters were chanting slogans against the power supplying company for resorting to prolonged loadshedding throughout the day and even in the night-time. Meanwhile, the protest hampered the flow of traffic and led to a long line of vehicles.

Addressing the protestors, MPA Syed Abdul Rasheed demanded the KE to stop prolonged power outages as it was also creating a water crisis in the area.

He said the people of Lyari were facing power cuts despite the winter season, calling the KE’s attitude ‘biased’. He also lambasted the power supplying company for accusing people of Lyari of stealing electricity.

Meanwhile, the K-Electric – in a statement – reiterated that timely payment of electricity bills can ensure uninterrupted power supply to relevant areas.

While giving a briefing to Provincial Energy Minister Imtiaz Sheikh on billing issue of Lyari, the KE management complete support should be given to eradicate power theft.

“Timely payment of electricity bills can ensure uninterrupted power supply to relevant areas. Power supply is impossible without making payments of bills,” it added.

Later, Provincial Energy Minister Imtiaz Sheikh said that areas representatives should ensure timely payment of bills. “Electricity is expensive and it cannot be supplied free of cost,” he added.

Earlier in June, several people, including policemen, received injuries when police clashed with protesting residents of Lyari near the Mauripur road, who took to the streets against prolonged power loadshedding.

The demonstrators blocked the Mauripur Road for traffic. The protesters hurled stones at the police and the cops retaliated with tear gas and baton charge.

The police also arrested several protesters after the failure of talks between the two sides. During the clash, four people, including policemen, sustained injuries.