KARAK: The women of Karak city took to the streets on Monday against low gas pressure and excessive power loadshedding.

The protesters staged a sit-in on the road leading to the deputy commissioner’s office.

Later, the women marched to the DC office and forcibly entered the premises where an important meeting of the Pesco and SNGPL officials with the elders of Karak rights movement was continuing.

The women criticised the officials of the two departments for failing to ensure smooth power and gas supply to the urban locality. The women resolved not to leave the DC office until practical steps were taken for resolution of their problems.

On the occasion, deputy commissioner Abid Khan Wazir asked the SNGPL officials to resolve the low gas pressure issue without delay, on which the latter promised to improve gas pressure immediately. After the assurance, the protesting women left the office of deputy commissioner.

Meanwhile, at the meeting, Pesco officials hinted at decreasing the loadshedding duration once the current power bills were deposited.

The SNGPL officials claimed that the people’s demand of installation of new gas meters would be taken up with their high ups.

The Karak rights movement elders set a week deadline for the officials to execute on their promises.

WATER SUPPLY SCHEMES: The residents of Takki Mithakhel and adjoining localities have demanded of the district government to make operational the two water supply schemes.

They made the demand at a meeting chaired by local Islahi Jirga president Sardar Khan on Monday.

The meeting was informed that two water supply schemes had been constructed with Rs20 million during the last ANP government, but the incumbent government was least bothered to make the schemes functional.

They said the women had to fetch water travelling long distances. The elders claimed that only pumps and electrification of the water supply schemes was required.

Published in Dawn January 17th, 2017