KARACHI: A large number of residents protesting against prolonged loadshedding came out on Hub River Road in Baldia Town, blocked the road and allegedly resorted to arson by damaging a petrol pump and other properties, prompting police to resort to tear gas shelling, officials said.

They added that residents were protesting against up to “18 hours of loadshedding” in Mowach Goth and surrounding areas.

Saeedabad SHO Pervez Solangi told Dawn that a large number of residents of Mowach Goth came out on the main road to protest against prolonged loadshedding. They blocked the Hub River Road by setting old tyres on fire.

He said the situation turned tense when a private security guard at a petrol pump resorted to firing shots into the air as a mob was moving towards it. It enraged the protesters, who then allegedly attacked the petrol pump and ransacked it. The SHO said police contingents were called from other police stations to prevent the situation from deteriorating further, while Rangers personnel also arrived in large numbers.

The policemen resorted to tear gas shelling and dispersed the mob. He added that the road was cleared for traffic at night.

He said some protesters were also arrested and further legal action was underway against them.

Meanwhile, a traffic police spokesperson, in a statement, said that both carriageways of Hub River Road towards Northern Bypass were blocked due to a protest by residents of Mowach Goth against the lack of power and water.

During the protest, traffic was diverted to alternative routes, the officials added.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2026