Lights out: Power outages irk Batkhela, Risalpur residents

Load-shedding results in severe water shortage in these areas

BANNU/ RISALPUR/BATKHELA: Residents of Batkhela and Risalpur have been reeling under long hours of unscheduled load-shedding. Frequent power outages have led to a severe water shortage in these areas.

Elected representatives took to the streets in Pir Sabaq village, Risalpur over prolonged power outages on Sunday.

A large number of residents and local government representatives held placards and shouted slogans against Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) and the provincial government.

Speaking at the protest, district nazim Javed Iqbal Khan said the village was facing over 16 hours of load-shedding every day.

“This has resulted in a severe water shortage,” he said. “If power outages continue in the village, residents will be compelled to protest outside Chief Minister House in Peshawar.”

Separately, residents of Batkhela complained against the acute water shortage triggered by unscheduled load-shedding.

A local told The Express Tribune the region faces 22 hours of load-shedding every day.

“This has created difficulties for us,” he said. A large number of locals slammed Wapda officials for charging them excessive bills. A majority of them said they had been protesting against prolonged power outages for a long time but neither the government nor Wapda were taking action against the matter.

Raising a voice

Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam-Fazl leaders in Bannu have raised a voice against prolonged power outages in the region. They have urged the government to resolve the ongoing crisis with immediate effect.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 27^th, 2016.