BATTAGRAM: Prolonged outages and low voltage of electricity have hit hard various parts of the Battagram district.

Ajmera, Battagram, Paimal Sharif, Peshora, Gijbori and some other parts of the district are experiencing 18 hours of power outages, locals complained on Tuesday. They warned that if the Peshawar Electric Supply Company did not stop the unjustified loadshedding they would block the Karakoram Highway.

The consumers alleged that the Pesco staff was systematically carrying out the loadshedding to cover up huge power thefts in certain areas. They also accused Pesco officials of failing to conduct regular meter-reading.

The residents complained that routine life, particularly business activities, had been hit hard by the power outages.

Khan Mohammad, a trader in Chappargram, said despite several protest demonstrations the government did not take steps to alleviate their sufferings at the hands of the Pesco staff.

Sadique Mohammad, owner of a furniture showroom, lamented that on one hand they were bearing prolonged loadshedding and, on the other, receiving inflated power bills.

He said business run on electricity had been severely hit, rendering many employees jobless.

Ibrahim, a hairdresser, told Dawn that power supply was being suspended regularly for many hours without any reason.

He said due to low voltage they could not run water pumps and had to fetch water from distant areas.

The locals demanded of Pesco to make sure smooth supply of power and also overhaul the old lines so people could get full voltage when there was power supply.

Tailors association representative Abdul Ahad said if the loadshedding continued unabated they would not be able to book orders for Eidul Azha.

He added that during the whole year they waited for the occasions of Eid to book orders and earn handsome amounts, but the frequent power blackouts had put them in trouble.

Published in Dawn, August 1st, 2018