Karachi in Crisis: Transporters Block Roads, Tankers and Trucks Set Ablaze Amid Unrest

KARACHI: Karachi is grappling with unrest as frustrated citizens, angered by heavy traffic, set fire to several freight trucks and water tankers. In retaliation, the Water Tanker Association has suspended the city’s water supply, while transporters have staged sit-ins on major highways, escalating tensions across the city.

The All Pakistan Transport Association (APTA) has announced protests on key routes, including the National Highway, Hub Toll Plaza, and Super Highway. Transporters claim their vehicles are being targeted as part of a conspiracy and have blocked Karachi’s major entry points, exacerbating the situation. The protests have caused significant disruptions, blocking roads to Port Qasim, Hub Check Post, and New Sabzi Mandi, while traffic at Port Qasim Chowrangi has come to a standstill.

At a press conference, APTA leaders Malik Ilyas and Tariq Gujar condemned the attacks and blamed lawless elements for setting the vehicles on fire. They criticized statements made by the Sindh government and governor, accusing them of inflaming the situation.

Transporters are demanding that the government bring all parties together to create a standard operating procedure (SOP) to resolve the crisis. They are calling for freight containers to follow designated routes and timings, as previously agreed, and insist that the government immediately compensate vehicle owners whose trucks were burned. If their demands are not met, the transporters have warned of a citywide shutdown.

Meanwhile, arson attacks have continued. Three freight trucks were set ablaze in Landhi and Korangi, and another water tanker was targeted in Surjani Town, where three masked individuals set it on fire. The driver narrowly escaped by jumping out of the vehicle. In another instance, locals and police managed to thwart an attempted arson attack at Al-Karam Square.

In response to the ongoing protests, the Dumper and Oil Tanker Association has announced additional protests, pledging to block more entry and exit points into the city. Liaquat Mehsud, the association’s leader, stated that 15 transport groups would join the demonstrations, emphasizing that dumpers with court permission to operate for essential construction work must be allowed to continue, or the situation would worsen.

In the midst of the unrest, road accidents continue to claim lives. In Musharraf Colony, Hawksbay, a speeding dumper struck and killed a motorcyclist, Muhammad Siddiq. In Ladia Town, a passenger coach hit a motorcycle, killing a pregnant woman and injuring her daughter. Her husband survived the accident. So far this year, 104 lives have been lost in traffic accidents in Karachi.

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Adding to the crisis, Karachi is facing a growing water shortage as tanker services remain suspended. The Hydrant Cell’s focal person, Shehbaz Bashir, revealed that 1,500 tankers providing water daily from six major hydrants are now out of service due to fears of arson. This disruption has left residents struggling as the water crisis deepens in the city.