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Protest against load shedding in Karachi’s Mauripur ends after 24 hours

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  • Protest in Mauripur continued for more than 24 hours.
  • Protesters clashed with LEA personnel.
  • Pakistan witnesses shortfall of 5,500MW electricity.

KARACHI: The protest against loadshedding in Karachi’s Mauripur area — which continued for almost a day — ended on Tuesday evening after area residents decided to disperse and return home. 

According to Deputy Commissioner South Abdul Sattar, the protesters decided to call the demonstrations off after successfully negotiating with authorities.

He added that previously, some people had refused to comply and continued protesting despite being assured that their grievances would be addressed. As a result, the protests continued for more than 24 hours.

Sattar also said that traffic in the area has been restored, which had been blocked because of the demonstration. Traffic from the ICI bridge to the Lyari Expressway, which had been suspended, has also been restored.

Protests turn violent

Earlier in the day, the protest had taken a violent turn after participants clashed with law enforcement agencies (LEAs), leaving a policeman and several protesters injured.

The protesters said that the area was witnessing constant loadshedding despite them paying their utility dues.

Police and residents clash on Mauripur Road in Karachi, on June 28, as residents of the area staged a protest against prolonged load-shedding. — Geo News
Police and residents clash on Mauripur Road in Karachi, on June 28, as residents of the area staged a protest against prolonged load-shedding. — Geo News

The police and Rangers personnel tried to get the situation under control, however, the protesters did not go on the back foot and pelted stones at them.

Sources in the National Transmission & Despatch Company (NTDC) told Geo News that the country’s supply is 22,500 megawatts, while the demand is 28,000 megawatts, leaving a shortfall of 5,500 megawatts — this has led to several hours of power outages.

In Karachi’s Gadap Town, the loadshedding time has gone up to 18 hours in a day, while Shah Faisal Colony, Malir, Surjani Town, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, areas around Jahangir Road, Sultanabad and Kala Pul, among some other areas, are seeing power outages of 14 hours or more.

Police said they arrested four protesters and used water cannons to disperse them. A day earlier, people took to the streets in Teen Hatti, Saddar Preedy Street, Jubilee Market, Shah Faisal Colony, Surjani Town, University Road, MT Khan Road, Nishtar Road, and 14 other areas of the metropolis.

No death reported: police

In a statement, City SSP Asif Bughio rejected reports that an elderly woman had died after getting injured during the protests.

Denying the reports of her death during the protest, he said that the woman was of 70 years and the police were in contact with the deceased’s family for conducting her post-mortem.

“There is a power outage of more than 12 hours in the area. The residents are demanding that a first information report (FIR) be registered against her death,” the SSP said.

More loadshedding

Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Shaikh, meanwhile, contacted KE chief executive Moonis Alvi. He noted that loadshedding has made the lives of people miserable and demanded the power utility resolve the crisis on an emergency basis.

“Due to persistent loadshedding, the security situation is deteriorating,” he told the KE official, calling on the federal government to clear the dues of the power utility as it “does not have the funds to produce power through furnace oil”.

Apart from Karachi, the loadshedding situation is also getting worse in Punjab as approximately six to eight hours of power outages are taking place across the province, while in the rural areas, electricity is being provided for only a few hours.

A day earlier, while addressing MNAs from the PML-N and allied parties, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned the country might face increased loadshedding in the coming month of July.

Pakistan is facing an escalation of its power crisis after it failed to agree on a deal for natural gas supply next month. Tenders for July were scrapped due to high price, and low participation as the nation is already taking action to tackle widespread blackouts.

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Gold prices in Pakistan approach an all-time high.

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Following a substantial surge the prior day, gold prices in Pakistan are ascending to unprecedented levels with an additional gain on Thursday, coinciding with a rise in global precious metal rates.

The price of 24-karat gold in the local market rose by Rs700 per tola, reaching Rs277,900, as reported by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA).

Likewise, the cost of 10 grams of 24-karat gold increased by Rs600, currently priced at Rs238,254.

Globally, gold prices exhibited an upward trend, increasing by $7 throughout the day. The APGJSA reports that the international gold price was $2,682 per ounce.

Notwithstanding the increase in gold prices, the silver market exhibited stability, with the price of silver maintained at Rs3,050 per tola.

In the previous month, gold prices in Pakistan reached an unprecedented high of Rs 277,000 a tola, driven by substantial gains in the worldwide market.

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A further relief shipment from Pakistan departs for Gaza and Lebanon.

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Following the Prime Minister’s directions, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) persists in delivering humanitarian assistance to the war-affected populations of Gaza and Lebanon.

The second cargo of supplies was sent from Karachi to Lebanon today.

The relief package, dispatched by the NDMA in partnership with the Al-Khidmat Foundation, consists of roughly 100 tons of provisions, including pharmaceuticals, ready-to-eat meat, tents, tarpaulins, thermal bedding, winter apparel, and powdered milk.

The assistance was sent by air from Jinnah International Airport in Karachi to Beirut, Lebanon.

The farewell ceremony at Jinnah International Airport was attended by representatives from the NDMA, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Al-Khidmat Foundation, and local authorities.

The delegates underscored the pressing necessity to deliver assistance to the war-affected populations of Palestine and Lebanon, in light of the continuing conflict and the requirements of the impacted communities.

They reiterated the Government’s dedication to assisting their compatriots in need and emphasized the significance of cooperation among welfare groups and the Pakistani populace in enhancing these initiatives.

This constitutes Pakistan’s twelfth aid shipment to Palestine and Lebanon. Previously, ten relief shipments were dispatched to Palestine.

The Government of Pakistan persists in dispatching relief supplies according to the need of the war-affected populations in Lebanon.

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Speech Made by Pakistan’s Prime Minister on the International Day Against Poverty

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In renewing our commitment to a world where no one is left behind and where possibilities for success are unrestricted by one’s origin or circumstances, Pakistan stands together with the global community on this International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. In addition to being morally right, ending poverty is essential to attaining sustainable development and guaranteeing everyone’s peace and prosperity.

The people have always been the center of every policy made by our government. We have significantly reduced poverty and made sure that our most vulnerable residents are taken care of thanks to our social safety net programs. We think that providing long-term routes to economic empowerment is equally as important as providing instant relief when it comes to assisting people in escaping poverty. Our focused initiatives seek to equip communities—women and children in particular—with the means to create better futures for themselves.

The Pakistani government is steadfast in its commitment to improving the affordability of living for its citizens despite the obstacles we face on a global scale, such as inflation and economic instability. Our policies are designed to build long-term economic resilience, from meeting housing needs to guaranteeing food security. With the help of programs like the PM Youth Business, Agriculture Loans, Digi-Skills, which offers free IT training, and the Pakistan Education Endowment Fund, millions of families are receiving financial support and technological help that is changing their lives.

Eradicating poverty is also a top priority for Pakistan, which is still fully committed to reaching the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With a focus on inclusive growth, education, healthcare, and environmental sustainability, we will keep working together with our international partners to achieve these goals. The advancements made in empowering women and guaranteeing that their contributions are essential to the country’s social and economic fabric are another reason for pride.

On this day, I would want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone who is devotedly striving to end poverty, both in Pakistan and globally. We can create a future where everyone, regardless of circumstances, has the chance to flourish and succeed by uniting with a shared purpose and unwavering determination.

I speak on behalf of the Government of Pakistan to reiterate our steadfast commitment to this cause and to extend an invitation to all facets of society to work with us to create a world that is more wealthy, just, and inclusive.

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