Karachi, June 18 -- In a move that sparked criticism from commuters and public sector workers alike, authorities in Karachi imposed extensive security measures and blocked key routes around the city's Red Zone and the Karachi Press Club (KPC) ahead of a protest by government employees demanding inflation-linked salary increases, as reported by The Express Tribune.

According to The Express Tribune, large containers were placed on major roads leading to sensitive government installations. At the same time, heavy deployments of police personnel, including women officers, were stationed around the Sindh Assembly and KPC. Riot-control units equipped with batons, tear gas, water cannons and prison vans were also kept on standby.

The road clos...