MARDAN, Feb 14: Residents of Mardan blocked the road in front of district courts on Wednesday in protest against overbilling and loadshedding by the Water and Power Development Authority and Sui Gas staff.

The people came out on the road early in the morning and staged a sit-in in front of the district courts for one hour.

They alleged that the Sui Gas officials sent inflated bills to the consumers allegedly without taking readings of metres.

The Mardan city police officials and Sui Gas executive engineer held talks with the protesters and assured them that their grievances would be redressed.

Earlier, the business community blocked the Bank Road to protest against long and frequent loadshedding in the city.

LAW AND ORDER: Mardan City Pakistan People’s Party (Sherpao) President Syed Kamal Shah has expressed concern over the deteriorating law and order situation. In a statement, he said incidents of murder, robbery, dacoity, car-jacking, kidnapping and extortion had become common.