DHAKA, June 4: Thousands of Pakistanis Stranded in Bangladesh marched on Saturday to the prime minister’s office in Dhaka to demand the restoration of electricity in camps across the country. The state-owned power board had cut off electricity on Friday morning to 66 camps, home to nearly 300,000 people, citing soaring unpaid bills.

“Police intercepted a peaceful procession of around 2,500 people” half a kilometre from the office of Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, a spokesman said. Three leaders were allowed to submit a petition to the prime minister’s office. Protest organizer Shoukat Ali said ‘we were promised steps would be taken to restore the electricity supply within 24 hours.

“If there’s no positive outcome by then, all the refugee camp residents will go on a hunger strike from early Sunday”.—AFP