LAHORE: Thousands of power workers staged protest rallies across the country on Wednesday against proposed privatisation of distribution companies (Discos).

In Lahore, a rally was held in front of the Lesco headquarters on Queen’s Road under the aegis of the All Pakistan Wapda Hydro Electric Workers Union.

The protesting workers sought intervention of the prime minister for stopping the privatisation of distribution companies and Guddu Thermal Power House. They also demanded the Energy Division allow recruitment of the line staff as no recruitment had been made for the last six years.

Addressing the workers, union secretary general Khurshid Ahmad urged political parties to strengthen national unity to defeat terrorism and economic and social sufferings of the nation due to price hike and rising unemployment.

He also urged the government to end widening gap between the rich and the poor and not to privatise the national public utility of electricity.

He urged the government to hold a dialogue with the workers to redress their legitimate issues otherwise they would be compelled to march on Islamabad.

Published in Dawn, January 26th, 2023