Sukkur (Report by Danish Rajput) – September 2025
The residents of Shah Faisal Colony have taken to the streets in anger after a road construction project was abruptly left incomplete. Members of the local organization Shah Faisal Young Ittehad staged a strong protest, demanding urgent action from municipal authorities and holding officials accountable for negligence.
Protest Led by Local Leaders
The demonstration, attended by community figures including Taj Mangrio, Abbas Ali Shah, Abdul Rehman Mehr, Gulshan Noon, Naeem Khosa, Zaheer Qazi, Wajid Mehr, Yamin Rind, Imran Chohan, and Munir Ahmed, voiced collective frustration over what residents described as “criminal neglect.” Protest leaders accused the contractor of abandoning the road work midway and disappearing without explanation, leaving behind torn-up streets that have made daily life miserable for the community.
Anger Over Government Inaction
Protesters noted that despite repeated complaints, no responsible authority has stepped in to address the problem. They specifically criticized the local administration, pointing out that Shah Faisal Colony falls under the constituency of the Sukkur Mayor. Despite this, they alleged, the mayor and union council chairman have shown “complete indifference” to the suffering of residents.
“This is not just about inconvenience—it’s about dignity and basic civic rights,” one protester shouted during the demonstration. “The authorities cannot continue to ignore us.”
Warning of Escalation
Leaders of Shah Faisal Young Ittehad warned that their protest would not remain confined to Shah Faisal Colony if the roadwork is not resumed immediately. They announced plans to escalate the agitation by organizing a march to Sukkur National Press Club, ensuring that the issue gains wider public and media attention. The threat of escalation has put pressure on municipal officials, who now face growing criticism for their failure to monitor contractors and deliver promised development.
Impact on Daily Life
Residents of Shah Faisal Colony described how the half-dug, unfinished road has created severe hardships. Broken pathways and scattered debris have become a safety hazard, particularly for schoolchildren and the elderly. During rains, the area transforms into pools of stagnant water, raising concerns about disease outbreaks. Shopkeepers complained that business has suffered as customers avoid the congested and damaged road. Rickshaw and taxi drivers also reported difficulties in navigating the broken stretch, increasing travel costs for locals.
Demands for Accountability
Protesters demanded that the contractor be held legally accountable for abandoning the project and that municipal authorities immediately restart the road’s construction. They emphasized that Sukkur’s taxpayers deserve transparency and efficiency in development projects. Calls were also made for the district administration to intervene directly if local municipal officials continue to remain passive.
Symbol of Broader Discontent
Analysts noted that the protest in Shah Faisal Colony reflects a larger pattern of frustration in Sukkur, where residents in multiple neighborhoods complain of stalled or poorly executed development projects. For many, this unfinished road has become symbolic of broader governance failures, lack of accountability, and the disconnect between elected representatives and citizens’ needs.
Looking Forward
In concluding the protest, Shah Faisal Young Ittehad gave authorities a final warning: either resume the road construction immediately or face intensified agitation that could attract citywide participation. They declared that this struggle was not political but a demand for basic civic facilities, and that they would not rest until Shah Faisal Colony receives the road infrastructure it was promised.
For now, the residents wait anxiously to see whether their outcry will push the administration into action—or whether the movement will grow into a larger protest across Sukkur.
