BATTAGRAM: The local people blocked the Karakoram Highway here on Friday against water shortage in the region.

Residents of Kolai, Shabora, Hafizabad and nearby areas took to the streets against the water shortage, and demanded of the local politicians to approve a water supply scheme for their areas, otherwise they won’t vote for them in the coming general elections.

The protesters held banners and placards inscribed with messages for politicians to ‘give water and take vote’.

The protesters said the elected representatives were unaware about the real problems of the people.

They alleged that a water supply scheme originating from the Battagram district had been approved for Mansehra district, but the locals were facing acute water shortage.

They said women fetched water from distant places, lamenting that the local MNA and MPA did not visit the area after getting votes.

They regretted that they had been demanding a water supply scheme for the last 16 years, but to no avail.

Published in Dawn, April 28th, 2018