SWABI/KOHAT: The residents of Swabi and Kohat on Monday held demonstrations against prolonged electricity outages and low voltage.

The residents of Saleem Khan union council of Swabi staged a demonstration against continued low voltage and power outages. The protesters were chanting slogans against Pesco and the ruling party for their failure to end unscheduled loadshedding despite the sizzling heat.

The traffic on all main roads of the district remained suspended because of the blockade of the busy Karnal Sher Khan Chowk.

Addressing the protesters, their leaders lamented the apathy of the elected representatives. They said it was responsibility of the elected representatives to lead them from the front whenever they were in trouble.

The protesters dispersed after additional deputy commissioner Gohar Ali held talks with them assuring that the issue would be discussed with both the elected representatives and Pesco officials.

Meanwhile, a large number of consumers blocked the Parachinar highway at Kacha Pakha Chowk in Kohat against long power blackouts due to ‘illegal’ electricity supply to Orakzai.

They alleged that Pesco had been supplying illegal electricity from Hangu’s Mitha Khan feeder to Misthti area of Orakzai for decades which had affected supply to Ustarzai Payan and Bala, Kachai Payan and Bala areas of Kohat.

The protesters lifted the road blockade after power supply to Mishti area of Orakzai was snapped on the spot from Mitha Khan feeder.

SDO Hangu division Javed Hussain assured that the lines would remain cut off to Misthi area until affected areas were connected to Kohat and the problem of low voltage was resolved.

Esar Bangash, a social worker, said the Mitha Khan feeder had been under immense pressure where the voltage remained as low as 30 to 40 volts. He regretted that the prime minister had promised no loadshedding during Eid days, but Pesco completely suspended supply on Sunday.

Long queues of vehicles were seen on the highway due to the protest. The police personnel arrived on the occasion, but could not end the blockade.

Former district councillor from Ustrazai, Mian Shah Raza said light came for half an hour and then disappeared for two hours.

Published in Dawn, August 4th, 2020