MINGORA: PTI workers led by local MPAs took to the streets here on Friday against the prolonged power loadshedding in Swat district.

The protesters came out from different areas, gathered at the Nishat Chowk and started marching towards the Pesco office on Saidu Sharif Road.

MPAs Fazal Hakim and Azizullah Gran led the demonstrators, who reached the Pesco office and surrounded it, chanting slogans against the power utility, the federal government and PML-N leader Amir Muqam. They said the power loadshedding had reached to 20 hours in Swat, which was being done on the orders of Mr Muqam.

The power cuts have badly affected the social and financial activities in Swat, Mr Hakim regretted.

“Amir Muqam is taking revenge from the people of Swat for not voting for him in last general elections. He directs the Pesco offices to suspend electricity to Swat frequently,” he alleged.

Later, the lawmakers and other PTI leaders met Pesco officials and discussed ways to end the prolonged power outages.

MILITANT ARRESTED: The Counter-Terrorism Department of Swat police on Friday arrested a wanted militant from Shamozo area.

According to a handout issued by CTD Malakand, following a tip-off the CTD personnel arrested Khadim, resident of Ningolai village of Kabal tehsil, from Shamozo area. The outlaw was wanted to law enforcement agencies for an attack on a security checkpost in 2008 in which one personnel was killed.

The police shifted him to an unidentified location for further investigation.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2017