KOHAT: The All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union, Kohat chapter, on Wednesday demonstrated against ad hoc recruitments in the Peshawar Electric Supply Company.

Speaking to the protesters, the union’s provincial deputy chairman Younis Shah also demanded an end to political interference in the Pesco for its smooth functioning.

He claimed Wapda, which was a profitable institution, was being privatised at the behest of IMF. He also criticised delay in hiring of line staff.

The other speakers said increase in the per unit cost was promoting power theft and adversely affecting Pesco recovery rate. They demanded early recruitments of staff at the local level to ensure smooth functioning of the Pesco supply network.

GAS SUSPENSION: The district administrations’ decision to suspend gas supply to the CNG stations during the daytime has caused problems for transporters.

The decision was taken to pacify domestic consumers, who have staged frequent protests over gas outages and low pressure.

Haji Islam, chairman of southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CNG filling stations’ association, who has also approached Peshawar High Court against the gas suspension, said under law the gas-producing area could not be deprived of gas.

He said even after suspension of gas to CNG stations from 8am to 4pm, domestic consumers were facing low pressure.

Mohammad Ejaz, president of CNG filling stations association, Kohat, told Dawn that they had been facing heavy losses after the decision. He said despite the PHC ruling that CNG stations should be provided gas on Friday, Monday and Wednesday, they were getting an extremely low pressure.

SECURITY ALERT: Checking at all the entry points of the district has increased after the killing of traffic wardens in Hangu a few days ago.

On the orders of Kohat division police chief Tahir Ayub, wardens have been given assault rifles for their protection.

Similarly, the security forces have also enhanced checking at all the entry points of the cantonment.

Meanwhile, the cantonment police foiled an attempt to smuggle hashish from Parachinar to Punjab by arresting an inter-provincial carrier on Wednesday.

A statement said SHO cantonment Ayatullah Babar stopped a pick-up van carrying chicken at the Kaghazai checkpost on the Hangu highway, and during search, found 22 kilogrammes of hashish from its secret cavities.

The smuggler was identified as Jameel Hussian, a resident of Parachinar.

Published in Dawn, February 3rd, 2022