Recovery drive: Residents clash with PESCO officials

Villagers block Indus Highway in protest over disconnection of power supply.

KARAK/ PESHAWAR: Enraged residents of Mithawala, Karak, blocked the Indus Highway near Jail Chowk after three people sustained injuries in a clash between locals and Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) personnel on Wednesday.

Eye witnesses claimed Pesco personnel along with a contingent of police officials visited Mithawala village near Karak city to disconnect the area’s power supply due to non-payment of dues by consumers. However, residents of the area gathered and stopped the officials from disconnecting electricity supply.

Pesco spokesperson Shaukat Afzal said a team of police and Pesco officials headed by SDO Rizwanullah reached the site of 5 tube wells at Mithawala, which had heavy arrears. “A mob gathered and attacked the Pesco Team,” said Afzal. “Officials were restrained from disconnecting power and removing metres.”

Witnesses claimed harsh words were exchanged and residents damaged a Pesco vehicle by pelting stones. During the clash, Pesco lineman Muhammad Ismael sustained injuries, prompting the police to resort to aerial firing and baton charge to disperse the enraged crowd. Two village residents identified as Gul Muhammad and Mehmood Anwar were injured as a result.



Later, villagers blocked a portion of the Indus Highway. Traffic remained suspended for over an hour after which national and provincial assembly lawmakers, including Shah Abdul Aziz, Khursheed Khattak and Javaid Iqbal, negotiated with District Police Officer (DPO) Ateequllah Wazir at a CNG station.

Elders demanded the restoration of power in the area along with the transfer of Pesco’s Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) for Karak, Rizwanullah, and DSP Amanullah. They also demanded an FIR be registered against the two officials. The DPO assured the elders their demands would be accepted if the highway is unblocked.

The Water and Power Development Authority’s Pegham Union condemned the attack on Pesco personnel and decided not to resume the recovery campaign until the incident has been investigated.

“Pesco’s chief executive officer has taken the matter up with the provincial government and high-ranking police officials in order to avoid such incidents in the future,” Afzal informed.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 11^th, 2013.