November 30, 2006	Thursday	Ziqa'ad 8, 1427

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LANDI KOTAL (Khyber Agency), Nov 29: People from the Zakhakhel area on Wednesday blocked the Peshawar-Torkhum highway for nearly an hour to protest against excessive loadshedding.

People complained that frequent power outages had affected their daily life and damaged a number of industrial and household electric appliances.

Power utility officials argued that they were left with n o option but to resort to load shedding because of large-scale unauthorised use of electricity in the area.

Wapda officials and local residents are at odds over the installation of power meters in their houses and work places.

Hunderds of people staged sit-ins at Sultan Khel, Sheikhwal and Zeen Tara blocking the passage of heavy and light vehicles.

The protesters lifted the blockade after authorities constituted a jirga of tribal elders and local councillors authorised to to work out a peaceful solution.

Traffic resumed on the highway after a delay of nearly one hour after an assurance by the local administration.