Residents demand water diversion as Qayyumabad faces year-long shortage, blocking Karachi’s main artery in protest
Residents of Karachi’s Qayyumabad and adjoining areas on Friday faced hours-long inconvenience as they took to the streets due to a prolonged water shortage and suspension of supply, blocking traffic and causing massive congestion in the surrounding localities.
The protesters blocked Qayyumabad Chowrangi by parking vehicles and water tankers on the road. They carried sticks and allegedly assaulted some people during the protest.
The protest began immediately after the Friday prayers and brought traffic towards the Defense, Korangi Industrial Area and Sharea Faisal to a standstill. Vehicles were stuck in long queues for several hours.
According to the protesters, Qayyumabad has been facing a severe water shortage for the past three years. They said that previously water was supplied only for a short period every other day.
They alleged that water previously allocated to Qayyumabad was now being diverted by the provincial government to the Defense and Ibrahim Hyderi, who they claimed was a political constituency of the ruling party.
To end the protest, Shah Faisal Town Assistant Commissioner (AC) Abdul Samee along with policemen arrived at Qayyumabad Chowrangi. However, the protesters announced that they would continue their demonstration until officials from the water board arrived.
AC Samee stated that he was present at the spot to maintain law and order.
After being blocked for nearly four hours, the police ended the protest after negotiations with the protesters, after which they dispersed peacefully and traffic was restored.
