LAHORE: All Pakistan Wapda Hydroelectric Workers Union activists took out a procession on Wednesday in Lahore and other major cities in protest at the proposed privatisation of the distribution companies of electricity utility.

In Lahore, activists marched from Bakhtiar Labour Hall to the press club. Outside the club, they chanted slogans against the privatisation plan and warned they would march on Islamabad if the government went ahead with its plan.

They presented a resolution demanding that the government take effective measures to adopt a self-reliance policy, recover the plundered wealth from the elite, control price hike and improve the rule of law in the country.

Trade union leader Khurshid Ahmed said it was responsibility of the state to provide electricity to its citizens for the progress of industries and other sectors.

He said the government had better learn from the privatisation of Multan and Rawalpindi electricity companies which had failed to deliver.

Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Secretary General IA Rehman also addressed the workers and urged the government to consult Senate, National Assembly and workers on the pros and cons of the privatisation.

He said the government should not raise power tariff at the behest of monetary organisations.

The demonstration was addressed by Syed Zakir Ali Shah, Khalid Mahmood, Rana Abdul Shakoor, Rana Akram, Zulqarnain Shah, Chaudhry Maqsood Ahmed, Naveed Ashiq Dogar and Syed Sajid Kazmi. — IMRAN GABOL