The rally initially convened at Shabqadar Bazaar, with participants chanting slogans against Pesco officials. PHOTO: AFP/FILE
The rally initially convened at Shabqadar Bazaar, with participants chanting slogans against Pesco officials and demanding an end to the 22 hours of load-shedding they claimed to be facing daily.
Shabqadar Marble Association President Shakirullah said marble factories in Subhan Khwar were paying more than Rs15 million in electricity bills to Pesco. He added despite this, factories were not being provided with any relief from the current electricity crisis.
Instead, Shakirullah said Pesco officials were supplying electricity to local consumers from industrial feeders, resulting in severe overload and malfunctioning of the feeder. “Because of the breakdowns, more than fifty marble factories have closed down in the area, resulting in thousands of labourers being unemployed.”
Shakirullah added the government had failed to address their concerns and appealed to the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Pervez Khattak to take immediate notice of the issue.
Janullah Khan, an industrialist, said they had proposed installing their own feeder with the industry bearing the cost. However, ubiquitous corruption within the government and Pesco meant this option could not be considered, claimed Janullah. He added the industrial zone was fast becoming a graveyard of factories.
Another speaker at the demonstration, Naimatullah Khan maintained local consumers leeching off the industrial feeders were also involved in electricity theft, with Pesco officials turning a blind eye.
Naimatullah said there was unabated electricity theft in other areas like Khwaja Was industrial zone and Matta, with the textile units being the major defaulters. “But instead of their power being cut or raids being carried out, Pesco would send Federal Investigation Agency and National Accountability Bureau officials to Subhan Khwar where there was no reported theft or defaulters.”
Later, protesters met XEN Pesco Ihsan Ali and DSP Shabqadar K A Afridi, giving an ultimatum of two days for the fulfilment of their demands. The protesters threatened non-payment to Pesco for the month of June if their demands are not met.
In response, XEN Pesco Ihsan Ali said a feeder was under construction, which would be used exclusively to supply power to factories. He condemned electricity theft, calling it a curse and alleged not only local but international players too were involved.
Shabqadar is known for its marble industries where more than 300 installations operate. The industry provides thousands of labourers with jobs, while the marble is not only supplied across the country, but also exported abroad, earning huge foreign exchange.
Long-standing electricity problems are now threatening to bring the entire industry to its knees.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2013.
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