Hundreds of people including traders on Tuesday took to streets and blocked roads to protest against prolonged and unscheduled load shedding in twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Angry mob torched an electricity grid station, electricity polls and damaged public property and billboards. Traffic on the major roads remained jam for hours.
The call for protest was given by Markazi Anjuman-e-Tajran (MAT) against the excessive power outages. Traders in Cantt area and other parts of the city shut down their businesses and proceeded towards Teeli Mohala on Murree road where they staged a sit-in. The protestors were carrying bamboo sticks, iron rods, placards and banners inscribed with anti-government slogans. They were also chanting slogans against the rulers and demanding immediate end to the unscheduled load shedding.
Murree road was blocked at several places by the protestors by burning tyres, throwing stones and erecting barriers. Heavy contingents of police were also present on the occasion but they did not restrain the protestors from damaging public property.
The areas where traders closed their business and protested included Saddar, Kashmir Road, Haider Road, Bank Road, Railway Road, Kamran Market, Mareer Chowk, Tench Bhatta, Misrial Road, Range Road, City Saddar Road, Ganjmandi, Gawalmandi, Raja Bazaar, Fawara Chowk, Iqbal Road, Dingi Khoe, Jamia Masjid Road, Bhabra Bazaar, Narnakari Bazaar, Urdu Bazaar, Sarafa Market, Moti Mehal, Committee Chowk, Waris Khan, Teeli Mohala, Naz Cinema, Kuri Road, Sadiqabad Chowk, Khanna Road, Chandni Chowk and Commercial market.
Protestors also gathered at Committee Chowk and staged demonstration against power outages. A large number of protesters gathered at Karachi Company Islamabad and staged protest against the prolonged power outages. The also chanted slogans against the government.