Respite: People throng Swat River to escape power cuts in Ramazan

Visitors criticise WAPDA, govts over electricity crisis

MINGORA: People thronged the banks of Swat River and its tributaries to enjoy the cool breeze and escape load-shedding in the scorching heat on Wednesday.

A large number of locals from Mingora and its adjoining areas have been visiting Swat River with their families since the commencement of Ramazan. They usually remain there till iftar.

Zahid Hussain, a resident of Saidu Sharif, Swat district told The Express Tribune. “Excessive load-shedding in the area has forced us to visit the bank of Swat River.” He added the river helped to limit the effect of sizzling heat wave and power outages.



Safiullah, a resident of Sakhakot, Malakand Agency said his family stays on the bank of the river to enjoy the cool weather till dusk and to pass the time. “We covered a distance of around 70 kilometres and reached Mingora from our home town to enjoy the chill breeze,” he said. He maintained Swat River and its tributaries serve as a sign of relief during fasting time on hot days.

Similarly, a woman who was enjoying pleasant weather on the bank of Swat River said, “I am visiting the river side along with my sons and daughters for the first time and I have never had a more exciting time in my life.”

The visitors also censured Wapda officials, and both the federal and provincial governments for failing to end prolonged and unscheduled load-shedding. They said the relevant authorities did nothing to ameliorate their tension even during the month of Ramazan. They added the issue had remained unresolved despite various protests.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2016.