Strike against power crisis observed across Balochistan

A complete shutter down strike was observed across Balochistan on Thursday in protest against power outages.

The strike called by the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party (PkMAP) was supported by traders’ and farmers’ associations.

Most of the business centres and vegetable markets in Quetta remained closed for the day, while there was little traffic on the roads.

Strict security measures were taken to deal with any untoward incident. Personnel of the Frontier Corps and police, deployed at different places of the metropolis, kept checking vehicles and people throughout the day.

The strike was observed in the southern areas of the province as well, including Pishin, Loralai, Ziarat, Killa Abdullah, Killa Saifullah, Musa Khel and Sherani.

According to a press release issued by PkMAP, farmers are suffering losses worth millions of rupees due to an increased duration of power cuts that have adversely affected standing crops as well.

Qesco is carrying out power cuts for as long as 8 to 10 hours in Quetta while the rural areas get electricity only for two to three hours a day.

The press release said that Qesco has deliberately increased the hours of power outages.

“If the duration of power outages is not reduced, we will intensify the protest and continue with it till our demands are met,” the statement said.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2010.