Steel factories staged a protest on national highway for over seven hours on Saturday, paralyzing traffic and left commuters stranded for hours, according to Express News.
The demonstration began around 1 p.m. 17, where workers gathered against layoffs and suspension of electricity and gas supply to their residential quarters.
Both tracks on the highway were blocked, causing severe traffic congestion in the surrounding areas. Traffic police redirected vehicles from Port Qasim Chowrangi and the FB area cut into alternative routes.
However, long queues of vehicles remained on nearby roads and created difficulties for commuters.
According to a Traffic Police spokesman, the protest ended around 1 p.m. 12.30 after negotiations between the workers and the authorities.
Traffic flow on the highway was later restored.
Employees have required reintroduction of their jobs and restoration of supply services, which were interrupted after the layoffs.
Last year in November, Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah sought help from the Russian Embassy to revive Pakistan Steel Mills and suggested the installation of a new plant to strengthen the economy and increase employment.
The request was made during a meeting with Russian Ambassador Albert P. Khorev, accompanied by Russian Consul of General Andre Fedorov and other officials.
Main minister Shah emphasized the importance of Pakistan’s relationship with Russia and emphasized that a functional steel factory could stabilize the economy and solve employment problems for mill workers.
