KARACHI – July 12, 2025: A major protest erupted in Punjab Colony on Friday after residents of the Dada Bhai building were left without electricity and water for several hours, triggering traffic gridlock in the surrounding areas.
According to residents, power to all 80 flats in the building was cut off around 11 a.m., and despite repeated complaints to K-Electric, no action had been taken to restore service. Frustrated by the lack of response, residents took to the streets, blocking both roads leading to Defence Mor — a key traffic artery linking multiple parts of the city.
The protest followed a reported crackdown by K-Electric on illegal connections in Punjab Colony and the neighboring P&T Colony. Witnesses said tensions flared during the operation, particularly in P&T Colony, where a confrontation allegedly broke out between locals and utility staff. Shortly afterward, Dada Bhai building was plunged into darkness.
Residents claim K-Electric is now demanding an apology from individuals involved in the scuffle before restoring power — a move that many see as an unjustified form of collective punishment.
“It’s deeply unfair. Not everyone in this building was involved in that incident, and yet we’re all suffering for it,” said one elderly resident, visibly agitated by the sweltering heat and lack of water.
The protest brought traffic to a standstill. Police were forced to redirect vehicles coming from the Gizri Underpass and divert Korangi-bound traffic toward Khayaban-e-Jami to ease the congestion.
As of the time of filing, K-Electric had not issued any official statement regarding the matter, leaving residents in limbo and tensions still simmering.
