GHALANAI: The people have complained about the frequent power outages and low voltage in Pindiali tehsil of Mohmand Agency.

Elders of Essakhel and Burkhankhel tribes, including Malik Syed Mehmood Jan, Malik Mohammad Younis Khan, Malik Shai Room Khan and others, also met assistant political agent Tauseef Khalid in his office in Ekkaghund area and informed him about the problem.

They complained that the electric supply remained suspended for 20 to 22 hours daily ti the misery of the local residents.

The elders said loadshedding hours should be the same across the agency. They also complained that Wapda officials supplied smooth electricity to marble factories in Karapa areas but subjected the local residents to unscheduled loadshedding.

Resident Kisan Sher said power outages created an acute shortage of water in the area. He regretted that the situation had forced the people to use lake water.

Tailor Amjad Ali complained of losses in business due to unscheduled loadshedding and said many tailors and their helpers were laid off by their employers.

Shopkeeper Doulat Khan also complained that business activities in Mohmand Agency areas had already been hit by the closure of Gursal trade route between Pakistan and Afghanistan for the last eight years.

Published in Dawn, February 13th, 2018