Karachi( The COW News Digital)In a unique form of protest, residents of Karachi’s Gulistan-e-Jauhar neighborhood turned to drums and dancing after being left without electricity for 56 hours. The demonstration, staged outside the K-Electric office, quickly drew attention not only for its creativity but also for the frustration it expressed against the city’s chronic power outages.
Instead of resorting to traditional chants, slogans, or sit-ins, the protestors beat drums and broke into dance to highlight their anger. As the drumbeats echoed, passersby and nearby residents joined in, transforming the protest into a public spectacle that reflected both despair and resilience.
“We have been without power for more than two days, and yet our bills are paid on time — more than 85% of this area pays regularly,” said one protester. “If K-Electric can demand payment on time, why can’t they provide uninterrupted electricity?”
Participants stressed that the prolonged blackout had left families, including women, children, and the elderly, in distress. The lack of electricity meant no access to water, unbearable heat inside homes, and health risks for vulnerable residents. Demonstrators accused K-Electric of offering nothing but “empty assurances” over the past three days while failing to deliver any practical solution.
For many, dancing to the beat of drums was symbolic. “We want to embarrass the authorities. Their negligence has forced us to come out on the streets and express our misery in this way,” a protester explained. “Perhaps rhythm and melody will wake up K-Electric when our cries and complaints could not.”
The protesters noted that this was their second demonstration in as many days, but their grievances remained unresolved. Frustration is growing as prolonged power cuts in Karachi have become a recurring issue, particularly during periods of extreme heat when demand surges.
The unusual style of protest has since gone viral on social media, where many users praised the residents’ creativity while criticizing K-Electric’s inefficiency. Others, however, saw the dance as a tragic symbol of helplessness, arguing that citizens should not have to resort to such measures to demand basic services.
As Karachi continues to suffer from frequent blackouts, the Gulistan-e-Jauhar protest stands as both a form of comic relief and a desperate cry for accountability from the city’s sole power provider.
