MANSEHRA: Residents blocked the Torghar-Thakot Road in Shakai area of Torghar district on Monday against the crackdown on electricity thieves and defaulters.

The protest lasted over an hour, suspending traffic.

Shouting slogans against Wapda, the participants demanded an immediate restoration of power supply.

Mufti Safiullah Khattak told them that meter readers didn’t check power meters regularly and bills were sent to consumers without meter checking.

“Wapda has removed electricity supply breakers from transformers, so we [residents] have no power supply for the last three days,” he said.

On the occasion, cleric Qari Zakirullah said a joint team of Wapda and police led by assistant commissioner of Judbah Hasrat Khan suspended electric supply from pylons.

“We cannot pay inflated bills,” he said.

The cleric said the Wapda should immediately restore electric supply to the relief of residents.

He said ancestors of the residents rendered huge sacrifices for Tarbela Dam, which inundated the local graveyards but still, the Wapda denied the region smooth electric supply.

The protesters dispersed peacefully after tehsil council chairman Mohammad Khan showed up and promised to take the issue with Wapda officials for resolution.

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2023