QUETTA: Hundreds of people on Thursday attacked a grid station in Sibi town and ransacked it during a protest against prolonged loadshedding in the area.

Sibi is one of those towns where temperatures soared to high levels recently. The region recorded 49 degrees Celsius on Thursday.

Angry protesters carrying placards and banners gathered in front of the Sibi grid station after marching on various roads and chanted slogans against the Quetta Electricity Supply Company (Qesco) which allegedly stopped power supply for several hours during the hot weather.

The protest then turned violent as demonstrators stormed the grid station located on the outskirts of Sibi town and ransacked the furniture, equipment and damaged the building.

They also attempted to damage the machinery installed in the grid station. However, police and Levies personnel rushed to the grid station and brought the situation under control.

The protesters demanded n end to loadshedding and uninterrupted power supply in view of the extreme hot weather.

Qesco Executive Officer Shafqat Ali urged the chief secretary and relevant authorities to ensure the protection of national installations and assets.

Expressing concern over the attack, he emphasised the need for strict legal action against those behind the attack aimed at preventing such incidents in the future.

Additional Chief Secretary Zahid Saleem directed the commissioner and the district administration to take strict action against the individuals involved in the incident.

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2024