Pakistan: Teargassing by police as riots continue

While a large part of the city was severely crippled by an acute electricity outage on Saturday, people in at least two major commercial areas staged violent protests against the power crisis.

The protestors in main Saddar and Clifton areas, consisting mainly of traders and shopkeepers, vented their anger and resentment against prolonged power breakdowns during business hours, which was severely affecting their daily business.

The sites of Teen Talwar, KPT Underpass, Punjab Chowrangi, Defence Mor, and other parts of Clifton and Defence on Saturday afternoon witnessed intense rioting by the inflamed traders, businessmen, and residents of the affected areas. In the Clifton area, rioting near teen talwar and at the Clifton Underpass caused a massive taffic gridlock with vehicles backed up for a distance.

In the Saddar area, the traders, businessmen, shopkeepers, and workers at various markets resorted to fierce protest and agitation on main Abdullah Haroon Road, especially in the area around the Paradise Hotel. The rioting in the Saddar area started around 4 pm and continued for over two-and-half hours. It only halted when police intervened and resorted to intense tear gas shelling.

The International News (Pakistan)