Lights out: Protest erupts over outages in Hazar Khwani

PESHAWAR:

Residents of the city took to the streets on Monday over prolonged power outages which have made it difficult to cope with the blazing heat.

The protesters from Hazar Khwani burnt tyres and blocked Ring Road, Kohat Road and Charsadda Road for all kinds of traffic. As a result, passengers using private and public transport were inconvenienced by the protest.

The mob held placards inscribed with slogans against the provincial government and prolonged load-shedding. According to the meteorological department, the city’s temperature rose to 37 degrees centigrade. The protesters said they were facing over 18 hours of power outages in their villages. They said this adversely affected their routines.

Similarly, residents of Arbab Road threatened to hold more protests and block roads if the duration of outages is not reduced.

Mohammad Alam, a protester, said the area has been facing power failures between 8am and 2pm everyday for the last 20 days.

“As summer begins, it is hard to survive without fans,” he added.

Commenting on the unscheduled power outages in the city, PESCO Spokesperson Shaukat Afzal said power thefts are common in areas where the protests have erupted.

“The protesters should pay their bills,” he said. Speaking to The Express Tribune, PESCO CEO Anwarul Haq Yousafzai has also taken notice of the matter.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2016.