Protesters demand end to power crisis

Strike observed in Nushki district; agitators block the RCD Highway.

QUETTA:

A complete shutter-down strike was observed in Nushki district on Wednesday to protest the suspension of power supply to the district.

All markets remained closed while protesters took out a rally on RCD highway, later blocking the highway through a sit-in demonstration.

The flow of traffic was severely disrupted between Quetta and Taftan, a town that shares its border with Iran.

The protesters have demanded that the government takes steps for an immediate restoration of power supply. “Electricity is being supplied to Nushki for just two hours every day which has severely affected the traders and farmers,” a press statement issued by the Zamindar Action Committee stated.

It stated that if immediate steps were not taken to ensure proper supply of power, farmers and traders will intensify their struggle and make frequent protests.

The protesters, however, called off their strike after officials held talks with them and assured that their problems will be addressed.

Power supply to Quetta and 14 other districts was affected some four days ago when unknown people blew up two power pylons of high transmission lines near Mach Town of Bolan district.

Officials of the Quetta Electric Supply Company said that it was carrying out 12 hours of power outages in the provincial capital and 18- to 20-hour-long blackouts in remote rural areas of the adjoining 14 districts.

Officials said that repair work on the damaged power pylons has started and complete restoration of power would take a few days.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2011.