Basic utilities: PK-1 takes to the streets against power outages

PESHAWAR:

Nearly 300 protesters from PK-1, Peshawar 1 gathered to block Ring Road on Sunday in a protest against prolonged, unscheduled power outages.

The blockade caused an hour-long traffic jam, after which long queues of vehicles on their way to the city were diverted from Ring Road to other link roads. Protesters held banners and placards, and chanted slogans against the provincial government and Pesco.

Speakers on the occasion lashed out at the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government for being busy in the Azadi march in Islamabad, while they faced a shortage of both electricity and water. They criticised their MPA Ziaullah Afridi for being missing when they need him most to solve their problems. The protesters claimed the federal government was pressing Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa with further load-shedding, punishing PTI for the sit-in at Islamabad.

Police reached the site to negotiate with the protesters. After being assured that their demands would be heard, they dispersed peacefully.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th, 2014.