SWABI, March 27: Electricity transformer thefts are on the rise; five were stolen last week.

When contacted the Nazim of the Ismaila union council Bakhtiar Ahmad told Dawn that the thieves removed vital parts of two 50kv power transformers about six-days back.

Sultanabad and Dastaybaba have been without electricity since then; neither the transformers could be repaired nor thieves arrested.

He said that two-days back the Xen of Swabi, Division No 1, Gohar Khan had said that Pesco chief Brig Khalid Khan had directed that the consumers pay for the necessary repairs to the transformers.

This enraged the people and they threatened to block the Swabi-Mardan Road.

Fida Mohammad, a notable of the area, said according to an estimate repairs could cost about Rs45,000. If the consumers were not ready to pay this amount now then it would be included in their monthly bills. And if Pesco were to repair the transformers, it could take two to three months.

The consumers did not agree to the Pesco’s proposal.

The District Nazim also asked Pesco to repair the transformers, but no action has been taken yet. Two transformers from Turlandi and one from Malikabad were also dismembered and robbed.

The resident of the area suspect Pesco staff’s involvement in the offence. They think only technical people could do it.

The residents have demanded the restoration of power supply but Pesco officials say that the empty transformers would have to be sent to Nowshera for repairs. When contacted a Pesco official said, “We cannot depute Pesco staff or police on very electricity transformer, it was the responsibility of the consumers to look after them”.