SHANGLA: The residents of Maira and Dandai union councils blocked the Karakoram Highway in Dandai area to protest the ‘denial’ of power supply to their areas from the newly-established 132KV Shang grid station.

Tehsil nazim Tahir Khan led the protesters, who shouted slogans against the PTI government.

The speakers, including the nazim, ANP Shangla president Sadeedur Rehman and Mohammad Yar Khan, said though the entire Bisham tehsil suffered due to excessive power outages and low voltage, the government had provided power supply from the grid station to Bisham and Shang union councils only.

“We won’t allow anyone to usurp our rights and will resist such moves. We will claim power supply,” said the nazim.

Claim denial of power supply from newly-established grid station

He said the grid station was approved by the PML-N government and it was inaugurated by MNA Dr Ibadullah Khan a year ago.

Sadeedur Rehman said the residents won’t allow anyone to inaugurate the grid station if power transformers weren’t installed at the Shang grid station for Dandai and Maira union councils.

He said the government should first connect Dandai and Maira with the newly-built grid station.

Mohammad Yar Khan said the government, especially the MPA elected from the area, shouldn’t discriminate against the residents of any union council and it should ensure electric supply to everyone.

“We need smooth power supply as low voltage and unscheduled loadshedding have ruined our businesses,” he said.

The protesters dispersed peacefully after the administration’s officials met them and promised the early resolution of their grievances.

The two-hour KKH blockade stressed out motorists and commuters.

Meanwhile, leaders of different political parties set the July 30 deadline for the government to inaugurate the 132KV grid station and warned that if that didn’t happen, the KKH would be blocked.

The warning was issued during a meeting in Bisham area.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2019