DERA ISMAIL KHAN/KOHAT: Reacting to excessive power outages the consumers belonging to various localities of Dera Ismail Khan on Tuesday set on fire the Wapda House at Panyala and blocked roads in protest for several hours.

The people led by leaders of different political parties were shouting slogans against the Peshawar Electric Supply Company, the federal government, JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman and MNA Dawar Kundi for their failure to ensure smooth power supply to the consumers.

The angry protesters set on fire the Wapda House at Panyala and burnt old tyres which led to suspension of traffic on the busy roads at Nawab police station chowk. They said that they were subjected to prolonged power outages of up to 18 hours.

They said that the federal government had announced that there would be no loadshedding during Eidul Fitr holidays, but the Pesco further increased its duration and marred the religious festivity.

However, deputy commission Mian Adil Iqbal held negotiations with the protestors who later dispersed. When contacted, local Pesco officials said that revised loadshedding schedule on different feeders led to the protests.

Meanwhile, regional police officer Fida Hussain suspended SHO of Panyala police station Abdul Sattar for his failure to take timely steps for protection of the Wapda House. In Kohat, the prolonged and unscheduled power outages continued on the second consecutive day on Wednesday, spoiling Eid celebrations.

The consumers had to undergo the nuisance of abrupt power breakdowns and fluctuations where electricity was restored for just 15 minutes after every one hour.

The consumers were inconvenienced despite the government’s orders that there would be no power outages during the three Eid holidays.

Published in Dawn, June 29th, 2017