Loadshedding protests continue across Punjab

Gilani takes notice of prolon­ged electr­icity outage­s, summon­s petrol­eum minist­er.


Web Desk June 18, 2012

KARACHI: Loadshedding and power protests continued in Punjab, with the electricity shortfall quoted at 8,000 megawatts and some areas reported to be without power supply for longer than eight hours at a stretch, Express News reported on Monday.

Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has taken notice of the prolonged electricity outages and has summoned the petroleum minister.

Authorities said in order to cope with the increasing shortfall of power supply, loadshedding had to be stretched to longer hours.

Grid stations in different areas of Lahore have been shut since 7am. Moreover, due to prolonged absence of power supply in southern Lahore, the city suffers from a shortage of water supply as well. Areas like Jhang, Toba Tek Singh and Chiniot receive power supply for only three hours a day.

Various cities under FESCO (Faisalabad Electricity Supply Company) go through 20 hours of severe loadshedding. While more than 22 hours of loadshedding in villages has disturbed daily life routines.

Sukkur and internal Sindh cities face 12hours of loadshedding daily, while villages go through 16 hours of no power supply. As a result of the severe energy crisis, businesses are suffering, and hundred thousands of labourers are unemployed.

Passenger train set on fire

Three bogeys of a passenger train were set on fire by angry protestors in Kamoke. The train was travelling to Sialkot from Lahore.

Pakistan Railways has temporarily suspended services of at least 20 trains travelling from Lahore to Rawalpindi, including four Railroad cars, two Awam Express trains, Lasani, Allama Iqbal and Khyber Express.

According to GM Railways, this step has been taken to avoid protesters from damaging further more trains.

The protestors had first pelted the train with stones, forcing the passengers out, before setting it on fire. No casualties were reported in the incident.

Earlier in Kamoke, protestors had also tried to set grid stations on fire.

Civilians protest against loadshedding

Infuriated mobs in different areas of Faisalabad carried out rallies against the ongoing power crisis, while enraged people pelted stones and broke windows of three private banks near Dhandiwala. Protestors damaged ATM machines and CNG stations in the area.

Protests continued despite baton charging by the police. The mob looted stores and stole from fruit vendors.

Traffic was blocked by burning tyres on Marine Road.

Protestors armed with sticks in Khanewal, forcefully shut down shops of the area. The SHO of the city arrived on the scene, infuriating the mob even further. As a result the SHO took hostage in a house, on which the protestors started stoning the building.

The demonstrators were dispersed through aerial firing and shelling which injured seven.

Demonstrations also took place in Jahaniya, Pakpattan and Lahore.

Infuriated protesters barged into the LESCO (Lahore Electricity Supply Company) office, burning documents and furniture, and ran away with the electricity wires.

Protests continued for several hours while police was nowhere to be seen.

The GT Road was shut down due to the protests at Sadhuki.

Wapda offices and educational institutions were set on fire near Sargodha.

The Gepco office was set on fire in Hafizabad, while at Zafarwal, Federal Minister Tariq Anees’ caravan was stopped. Three people were injured when the guard opened fire.

View pictures of the protests here.

COMMENTS (23)

Ahmer Ali | 11 years ago | Reply

Interestingly and amazingly despite seeing and knowing the facts and realities the Pakistan's Federal Finance Minister and convicted ex-PM Gillani say that Pakistan's economy is going towards the right direction and all is well.And is this is so then definitely and absolutely they are deaf and blind by heart and are the victims of power's addiction and camouflaging the realities and truths from the nation intentionally.

Arshad Khhan | 11 years ago | Reply

This no eligible man to continue this system Yes, we will eat grass if we have security and justice. We have neither security, justice or electricity. Liberals have ruined our country.

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