Load-shedding triggers demonstration in Bahawalpur

Liaquatpur has been without electricity for last one week.


APP May 25, 2017
Blackout loadshedding load shedding PHOTO: AFP

BAHAWALPUR: Residents of Bahawalpur staged demonstration and blocked road in protest against unannounced power outages on Wednesday.

Hundreds of people belonging to Liaquatpur staged a demonstration and blocked the main road for several hours against load-shedding and lethargic attitude of the Multan Electric Power Company, Bahawalpur Circle. The protesters, including men and women, put barricades on the artery. As a result, traffic remained suspended for several hours and commuters had to face difficulties.

They said that unemployment had increased manifold due to the long load-shedding in the district. They said that they were facing numerous problems, including acute water shortage.

They also staged sit-in, demanding immediate restoration of electricity in Liaquatpur and surrounding areas. The protesters alleged that, on the one hand, they were facing unannounced load-shedding while the power supply had been suspended to the area for the last one week.

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They said the hot weather coupled with power cuts had made their lives miserable. The protesters maintained the government’s negligence had compelled them to take to the streets.

Sakho Bibi, a protester, said, “We have been facing acute shortage of water as we could not operate water pumps due to non-availability of electricity.”

She added, “Mepco officials should immediately restore our electricity. Our children are suffering from various diseases due to hot weather and we have nowhere to go.”

The protesters demanded the government to take notice of the situation and provide relief to the residents of Liaquatpur.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25th, 2017.

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