Powerless in Swat: Protest against prolonged power outages

Political leaders indifferent to plight of public

MINGORA: Residents of Kabal, Matta and Mingora tehsils launched a protest against prolonged power outages in Swat on Tuesday.

Hundreds of people took to the streets and gathered at Kabal Chowk, Matta Bazaar and Mingora Grassy Ground against prolonged power outages.

Pray for power

Kabal tehsil elder Syed Rahman told protesters that even though residents pay their electricity bills, they witness 18 hours of load-shedding every day. “When we protest, WAPDA officials resume the electricity supply. However, power outages persist after three days,” he explained.



Gulzada, an elder from Matta tehsil, lashed out at the politicians.

“The public elected them to the provincial and national assemblies to solve their problems,” he said. “However, the leaders, who have installed alternative means of power in their own houses, have completely ignored the public.”

Speaking about the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf-led government, he said, “If this is what they call ‘change,’ we do not need change at all.”

Farooq Khan, in his address at Mingora, said both the provincial and federal governments mistreated the people of Swat. “We voted for PTI candidates who have forgotten us and since we did not vote for PML-N candidates, PML-N is taking revenge,” said Farooq Khan in his address. He said the entire electricity system is disrupted by Adviser to PM Amir Muqam who has transferred Swat’s share of electricity to Dir and Shangla.

The residents said they know how to take action against the indifferent political leaders. However, security forces in the area are not permitting them to do so. “Political leaders and Wapda officials are forcing people to become violent to fight for their basic rights,” added Farooq Khan.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 27^th, 2015.