Unpaid dues: Eight villages sans electricity

BANNU: Nine people were arrested and power was suspended in eight villages of Bannu district on Sunday. A crackdown against electricity theft was launched under the supervision of Shafiq Khan Orakzai, said the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) spokesperson, Umer Ali Khan. With the help of the police, the operation was launched in Dabak Saeedkhel, Azeem Kala, Gidar Kala, Gadi Top, Manji Wala, Wazir Kala, Domail and Safri Kala. According to Umer, the people from these villages have to pay at least Rs17.8 million in electricity dues to the government. Supply will be resumed once dues are cleared. However the Pesco spokesperson added, the people refused to pay their bills, forcing Pesco to disconnect power.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 9^th, 2014.