Markets were closed and main roads blocked with burning tyres in Pahar Pur Bazaar of DI Khan as residents came out to protest against power outages. The uproar came about after 14 transformers in the district were left dysfunctional in the past week and a large number of residents remain without electricity supply.
“It is very hot and getting more difficult to live here without electricity,” said a protester, Attaullah. “We have women and children at home. They are facing a lot of trouble as well. WAPDA workers will not come to fix the problem until they are paid bribes.”
The flow of traffic resumed and protesters dispersed after they were appeased by police officials. However, they warned they will take to the streets again if their issues are not addressed. They also demanded a permanent solution during the month of Ramazan.
Water shortage
Meanwhile, residents of Mohallah Nai Abadi Khoo in Haripur are threatening to protest if their problem of water shortage is not resolved within the next two days. A delegation of residents met the Haripur district commissioner and apprised him of the problem through a written complaint.
Speaking to the media, Shamraiz Khan, Hafiz Ayub, Abdul Rasheed and others said their locality has a population of over 900 households and they have been facing a water shortage for long now.
“We receive water for a very short time in the day and that too at low pressure,” one of the residents complained. They added leaking pipelines and the use of water pumps in adjoining localities has forced them to transport water from other areas.
With the onset of summer, water consumption has increased in every home, but despite repeated complaints to municipal authorities, residents of Mohallah Nai Abadi Khoo say their plight has received no attention. They warned if the problem is not resolved within the next couple of days, they will take to the streets and block GT Road.
When approached, an official from the water supply office said consumption has doubled in the summer months. Some consumers also use donkey pumps, he added, because of which pressure is reduced for others. The official said the matter will be resolved shortly.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 30th, 2014.
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