PESHAWAR: The auto-mechanics, traders of vehicles’ spare parts and transporters on Saturday blocked Ring Road against suspension of power supply to the area and blamed Peshawar Electric Supply Company officials for forcing them to block the road.

The protesters parked loaded trailers, and placed stones on the road to suspend vehicular traffic on both the lanes of Ring Road at Hazar Khwani area.

They chanted slogans against Pesco for suspending electricity to their area. The blockage of road caused serious problems to the people for about one hour as long queues of vehicles on way to different cities were observed on both sides of the busy road.

The elders of the area, Haji Shaikh Gohar Ali, Malik Himayatullah and Haji Mushtaq Ahmed told Dawn that power supply to the area remained suspended continuously for three hours that forced the people to take to streets and block the road.

“We have time and again requested the Pesco officials including its chief executive to stop the unscheduled and prolonged loadshedding. They did not pay any heed to our request,” said Mr Gohar.

He said that people of the area didn’t pay power bills for the month of January as a protest. Owing to non-payment of the bills, the Pesco officials suspended power supply to the area completely, he added.

The protesters ended their protest and opened the road to traffic after assurance by the local police. “The road will be blocked again on Monday if our demand is not met,” Mr Gohar said.