On a power trip: PTI workers’ rage against PESCO cools off after negotiations

Activists stormed grid station and restored power supply on second consecutive day.

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers under the leadership of MPA Fazal-e-Elahi ended their protest against Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) on Tuesday.

Up until negotiations with company management succeeded, the protesters seemed determined to literally take power in their own hands and repeated Monday’s events on the second consecutive day.

Enraged against prolonged power outages, party workers stormed the Industrial Grid Station on Kohat Road and kept feeders switched on till 3pm. They also swarmed outside Rehman Baba Grid Station, Hazar Khawani and Tajabad Grid Station, protesting against load-shedding in PK-6, Elahi’s constituency. They were holding placards with slogans against Pesco management.

Power play

Talking to the media, Elahi seemingly justified the act, saying the load-shedding duration hovers between 20 to 22 hours a day, while Pesco authorities turn a blind eye to complaints. “We have been assured by chief engineer Niaz Khan that the duration will be reduced to 10 hours a day,” he said, adding power outage is not the only concern of the protesters. “The entire system needs up-gradation, including meters, feeders and transformers,” he said. The lawmaker said a meeting will be held at Pesco head office on Saturday wherein all the issues will be raised.

Non-payment

Talking to The Express Tribune, Pesco Public Relations Director General Shaukat Afzal confirmed the reports and said PTI workers stormed grid stations and kept feeders running. “Load-shedding is carried out under a formula fixed for the entire province. Areas worst hit by outages are those where electricity theft is high and recovery is low,” adding power cuts in other areas range from 4 to 6 hours every day.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 22^nd, 2015.