Karachi in chaos: accidents, arsons, protests, water shortage hit city

KARACHI: At least nine dumpers and water tankers were set on fire following a suspected road accident in North Karachi, prompting the police to register five cases under terrorism and other serious charges.

Following the FIRs, authorities arrested 19 suspects on Thursday and launched a grand operation to apprehend others involved.

DIG West Irfan Ali Baloch said the incident appeared to be a “pre-planned conspiracy” aimed at inciting unrest. “We have received several leads, including video evidence. With our swift police action, we hope such incidents will not recur,” he told reporters.

The vehicles were torched late Wednesday night near Powerhouse Chowrangi and 4K Chowrangi after an alleged collision involving a high-speed dumper and a motorcyclist. Though no deaths were reported, enraged locals reportedly attacked and burned the trucks. Police later used cranes to remove the charred remains and restore traffic flow.

The damaged vehicles were moved to local police stations, while cases were lodged in the Sir Syed, Bilal Colony, New Karachi, and Khawaja Ajmer Nagri police stations under charges of rioting, arson, and terrorism.

According to DIG Baloch, CCTV footage and mobile videos helped identify and arrest the 19 suspects. Raids are ongoing to apprehend others. He also revealed that chemical analysis would determine if accelerants were used in the fires.

“Everything points to a well-orchestrated plan,” he said. “The entire road was targeted, not just the accident site. Even a private restaurant came under threat, but timely police action prevented further damage.”

He confirmed that the injured motorcyclist had yet to come forward. The dumper driver in custody claimed he had an altercation before accelerating his vehicle, which then ran over an empty motorbike.

Tankers’ owners suspend water supply

The incident has severely disrupted Karachi’s water distribution system. Many tanker owners, fearful for their lives and property, had temporarily suspended services, with some parking their vehicles off roads to avoid damage.

Karachi Water Corporation officials warned that if such incidents continued, the city could face a serious water crisis. “The number of operational tankers has already declined,” an official said. “We urge authorities to provide security so that supply can resume.”

Torching vehicles not solution, says Mayor

Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab termed the dumper incidents “tragic” but said torching vehicles was no solution. “We are here to improve Karachi. No one is above the law,” he said during a talk show.

He stressed the need for responsible behaviour from both truck drivers and motorcyclists, adding that lawlessness would only deepen Karachi’s problems. “We need policy solutions, not provocation,” he said, pointing out the dangers of stoking ethnic tensions similar to those after the Bushra Zaidi incident.

The mayor also highlighted the need for better regulation of heavy vehicles, including local registration and fitness certification. “Many of these vehicles are registered in other provinces. They must be brought under Sindh’s purview,” he added.

Governor urges calm over growing accidents

Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori, who visited the affected areas late at night, assured citizens that Karachi is not an “abandoned city” and that no one will be allowed to take the law into their own hands.

He appealed for calm and unity, stating that the government is committed to safeguarding the economic and social fabric of the city. “Pakistan is receiving positive signs for investment. We must not let lawlessness derail this progress,” he said.

Dumper owners call off strike

Meanwhile, goods transporters, dumper truck owners and water tanker associations announced postponement of their planned strike scheduled for Friday, following assurances from the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI).

The truck and tanker owners claimed losses worth millions of rupees and urged the authorities to prevent any attempts to give the violence an ethnic angle. “We may speak different languages, but we are all brothers. Those responsible must be punished,” one owner said.

FPCCI acting president Saqib Fayyaz confirmed the strike had been postponed following the chamber’s intervention. “A strike by goods and dumper transporters could cause massive losses to the economy,” he said.

He assured that efforts were underway to facilitate a meeting between the transporters and Sindh’s chief minister and governor, and to ensure seized vehicles are released and reasonable time is given for fitness compliance.