Battagram locals to move SC against unkept promises

Say Musharraf-era waiver on 'unjustified' electricity bills never fulfilled

BATTAGRAM:

Residents of Battagram have decided to move the Supreme Court (SC) against unkept promises of relief on 'unjustified power bills' made during the Musharraf era and the prolonged electricity load-shedding in the area.

Local elders have demanded relief on electricity dues as per former president Pervez Musharraf's announcement and sought royalty for electricity generated by the Allai Khwar Dam.

To strategise on this matter, a two-day grand jirga has been called in Islamabad on November 30, in collaboration with Battagram's municipal representatives.

After the devastating 2005 earthquake that destroyed Battagram's infrastructure, including the electricity system, thousands were left homeless, with many migrating to other cities.

Some of these displaced residents passed away, while others permanently resettled elsewhere. Despite their absence, the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) continued issuing electricity bills in their names, leading to arrears amounting to millions of rupees.

Citing these unpaid dues, Wapda imposed extensive load-shedding—lasting not just hours but days.

This sparked protests, prompting then-president Pervez Musharraf to intervene.

He announced the cancellation of bills for abandoned homes and offered a 50 per cent waiver on electricity bills for residents still living in their homes, with the remaining dues to be paid in instalments.

However, this promise was never implemented, and arrears continued to accumulate.

Currently, Wapda has intensified load-shedding in the district, enforcing 12 hours of outages in Battagram Bazaar and surrounding areas, 18 to 20 hours in Deshan and Takri, 15 to 20 hours in areas like Jaisol and Shimlai, and even multi-day outages in Allai.

Despite repeated protests by locals, authorities have failed to address their grievances.

Acknowledging the severity of the situation, Fayyaz Muhammad Jamal Khan, a native of Battagram now residing in Islamabad, has decided to take the legal action.

His petition will request the SC to ensure the implementation of Musharraf's announcement to waive 50 per cent of electricity bills for earthquake-affected residents, reduce the duration of load-shedding in Battagram, and grant the district its rightful royalty from the Allai Khwar Dam.