Consumers decry prolonged outages

The public expressed serious concerns during an open court session chaired by Zahidul Islam, the Commissioner of Hazara Division, regarding several ongoing issues in the district. The attendees emphasised that the main purpose of the government institutions is to serve and protect citizens, and they are not meant to tolerate force or violence.

A key point raised was the misconception that issues raised during open courts are not addressed, while in reality, all issues are resolved within the limits of available authority, and any higher-level complaints are forwarded to the relevant officials.

During the session, citizens of Battagram expressed their frustration over the worsening power crisis. They revealed that prolonged power outages of up to 22 hours have made daily life unbearable. Many individuals have lost their jobs due to the power cuts, and some have been forced to migrate to other districts in search of employment.

Residents lamented that, in addition to other necessities, they are struggling to access even basic water supplies due to the power shortages. Citizens also requested the district's share in the electricity royalty bills and called for an investigation into corruption in hydro-power projects, urging that dormant projects be reopened.

Another pressing issue raised was the need for improved cleanliness services in both urban and rural areas, with requests to make sanitation systems in towns and villages more effective. The public also highlighted the worsening traffic problems in the city, recommending the construction of bypasses to ease congestion.

Moreover, the residents urged immediate action to remove debris from Shamlai Road and Romai Road and address encroachments in these areas. They also demanded stronger measures to combat the rising crime rate, particularly theft and drug abuse, which have been increasingly affecting the community.

Local government representatives pointed out that thefts of electricity transformers and wires have become common occurrences, with several incidents reported so far. However, they expressed dissatisfaction with the police's response to these crimes, which they believe has been insufficient.

In response, the commissioner assured the public that several issues would be addressed on-site, while others would be carefully reviewed for further action. He visited local hospitals, SDPCs, and other public facilities to observe the situation first-hand. Following the open court, he participated in an important meeting at the deputy commissioner's office where he provided specific instructions to the administration to resolve the public's concerns efficiently.