Power failure: Enraged protesters take to the streets against electricity cuts
A large demonstration was held in Tehkal where protesters blocked the main University Road from 7am to 12 30pm, disrupting commuters in rush hours. Protesters threw boulders on the road and smashed windscreens of cars.
Residents of Kohat Road, Ring Road and Chamkani also held demonstrations. Large numbers of people from different walks of life chanted slogans against the Water and Power Development Authority and the government.
“Our lives have been turned into hell due to the electricity crisis,” an exasperated Tehkal protester told The Express Tribune.
Another demonstrator said that the government was imposing flawed policies to solve the energy crisis and was pushing the country into darkness. “We cannot live without electricity in this severe heat,” he said. He added that his tailoring business had come to a standstill.
People said they receive only one hour of electricity after which there are three-four hour long power cuts. Day-to-day routines and many businesses have been disrupted, causing monetary losses. Areas surrounding Peshawar are worst affected where outages last up to 20 hours.
Areas where electricity is used to power tube wells are also facing severe water shortages.
Demonstrations planned
It is expected that as the holy month of Ramazan approaches, protests against power blackouts will become more violent.
Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz Provincial Deputy Spokesperson Mazhar Khan told The Express Tribune that his party was planning to organise further demonstrations.
Justifying the protests, he said: “The government does not pay attention to common people’s suffering. They have been left with no choice but to show their anger publically.” He also said that transparency in the government’s rental power plant dealings could help solve the energy dispute.
Banners have also been placed along main roads promoting another rally on July 6 organised by Jamaat-e-Islami.
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