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Pakistan

Karachi faces major traffic jam in multiple areas after protesters block key roads

  • Protests come after KE undertakes city-wide exercise to eliminate power theft
Published September 10, 2024

Residents of Karachi faced yet another hardship on Tuesday morning as commuters were caught up in severe traffic jams in several areas of the city as organised protests blocked major arteries and choked road networks of Sindh’s provincial capital.

As per traffic alerts, lengthy queues of vehicles were witnessed at Sharae Faisal, Chaudhry Khaleeq uz Zaman Road, Korangi road, Teen Talwar, Khayaban-e-Ittehad, Civic Center, Sohrab Goth, Korangi Expressway, and the Lyari Expressway. Traffic towards Korangi’s industrial area where major companies have their offices also faced a gridlock for hours.

It took hours before police said traffic was restored to its normal flow in some areas including Sunset Boulevard and Hino Chowrangi after the protest ended.

Karachi’s Korangi area faces severe traffic jam

KE takes action against illegal connections

But it only came after commuters were unable to reach their workplaces on time, and remained stuck or took U-turns to avoid getting trapped in jams that stretched to hundreds of metres.

In a post on social media X, Karachi Traffic Police had requested the public to use alternative road to avoid inconvenience.

The protests, organised with usage of heavy vehicles to block major roads, were reportedly held against electricity outages and the power utility’s city-wide campaign to end energy theft.

A traffic official told Business Recorder it will take some time for the situation to normalise.

On different WhatsApp groups, people were exchanging messages to warn colleagues about the traffic jams in various areas.

Alerts were also circulating as citizens looked to share details ahead of peak traffic time.

When contacted by Business Recorder, K-Electric – the energy utility in Karachi – said the company has been undertaking a city-wide exercise to eliminate power theft.

“An operation was carried out in Gizri earlier this morning to remove a large network of illegal kundas stealing power from a nearby load-shed-free feeder,” KE spokesperson Imran Rana told Business Recorder.

“Area residents, some of whom were armed, obstructed the KE teams during the kunda removal exercise and blocked access. We are in touch with law enforcement agencies over the matter.

“KE remains committed to combating power theft, which is a menace not only for the company but also affects the load-shed-free status of adjoining areas.”

The company’s remarks come as Pakistan sees a surge in energy tariffs with power theft a major contributor to surging prices.

Also read:

Comments

200 characters
Adeel Sep 10, 2024 11:30am
Rupees 30 thousand and even plus 50 thousand salaried employees can't afford current per unit power tariff..... Log barbad horahy hain
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Usman Sep 10, 2024 12:11pm
@Adeel, so basically the poor cant afford it as 30k is basic pay.They should learn new skills instead of expecting govt to feed them.
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Shaukat Unkil Sep 10, 2024 12:15pm
People blocked roads because KE isn't letting them steal electricity ... And we wonder why we keep getting leaders like sharifs/zardaris
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Javed Hussain Khsn Sep 10, 2024 02:01pm
No one support theft of electricity but need to address first Huge bills because of IPPs Payments in billions due on Govt. depts Electricity theft in remote areas of KPK, Sindh and Baluchistan. 18 Amm
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Syed Shayaan Sep 10, 2024 02:02pm
KE should be appreciated for their new policies for e.g. no load shedding in areas that fulfill their electricity bills in full each month.
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Toy Soldier Sep 10, 2024 02:12pm
Electricity theft should be legalised as stealing is no more a moral issue.
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Builder Sep 10, 2024 04:08pm
Those supporting theft of electricity should understand that it's not a chicken and egg problem. Theft is historical and responsible for piling up circular debt and thus increase in tariff.
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Love Your Country Sep 10, 2024 05:58pm
The theft was allowed as a political gift which is a shame and this menace needs to be eradicated.
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Pakistani Sep 10, 2024 06:42pm
Good to see the initiative by KE to stop power theft by individuals and we support it. However, when will the Government start serious initiative to stop money theft by IPPs.
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zh Sep 11, 2024 12:54am
@Usman, How would they learn new skills in the absence of education opportunities and their parent were also dirt poor.
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zh Sep 11, 2024 12:58am
@Usman, They cannot learn new skills even online because this government and it patrons in their wisdom have eliminated the internet.
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Gnay Aly Sep 11, 2024 03:16am
The present rate of Electricity Unit rate if it is only 201 for a month then monthly bill will increase from RS.4,500 to Rs. 9,000 or so for six 6 months no matter if consumption is even 150 units
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IB Sep 11, 2024 04:18am
Electricity theft is often done with political patronage in Karachi because a party who has rural support base often use those inhabitants of kachi abadis as potential vote bank.
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