SHANGLA: Traders of main bazaar, Bisham, here the other day blocked Karakoram Highway in protest against the Peshawar Electric Supply Company for not repairing the transformer which developed a fault for second time in a week.

The protest called by Bisham trade union at Kohistan Chowk was led by Master Hamidur Rehman and Rohul Amin.

Addressing the protesters, Hamad Umar said people visited the main bazaar for shopping, but in the prevailing hot weather the traders had no electricity to run fans.

He said the transformer of main bazaar had developed a fault a week ago after which they collected Rs40,000 and got it repaired from Nowshera. He said the transformer again burned on Friday and could not be repaired as yet.

Rohul Amin, another trader, said in future they won’t pay a single penny to Pesco employees for repair of transformers.

Meanwhile, SHO Bakht Zahir held negotiations with the protesters and sought time to take up the issue with Pesco officials for its resolution.

ACTIVIST JOINS PTI: Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz local leader Mohammad Khaliq Khan along with his supporters announced joining Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf at his Achar Kotkay village in Alpuri here on Sunday.

He announced the decision during a meeting at his residence in Achar Kotkay where labour minister Shaukat Yousafzai was the chief guest. PTI district president Waqar Ahmed was also present on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Mr Yousafzai claimed that the PTI would win majority seats in upcoming local government elections in the district. He promised to build roads and water supply schemes in the area.

Meanwhile, Pakistan People Party’s district vice-president Ghareeb Gul announced joining PML-N here on Sunday at his residence in Pirabad.

Mr Gul, who also remained a district councillor, announced the decision during a meeting at Pirabad in the presence of PML-N provincial president Amir Muqam.

Mr Muqam said on the occasion that the incumbent government had failed to gain public trust as it did not give any relief to masses in budget.

Published in Dawn, June 21st, 2021