PESHAWAR: Consumers from different villages on Monday staged a demonstration outside the Rehman Baba grid station against excessive electric loadshedding.

The demonstration was led by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf MPA Fazal Ilahi. The protesters also entered the grid station and chanted slogans against the Peshawar Electric Supply Company officials and the federal government for what they said imposing 18 hours of loadshedding on them.

They said they were surprised at the sudden increase in the power outage duration in the provincial capital. They said the outages had increased in both the urban and rural areas of Peshawar during the last several days.

A resident of Khan Mast Colony told Dawn that there was no laodshedding in the months of June, July and August when hot weather peaked. “However, power outages have suddenly started, and currently we face six to seven hours of loadshedding despite the fact that no electricity theft is reported in our area,” the resident said.

“Due to absence of electricity, my children went to school without breakfast,” he said.

Prior to the protest outside the grid station, MPA Ilahi recorded a video message in which he stated that his negotiations with the Pesco chief didn’t produce any fruitful outcome, forcing him to call a protest.

In his message, he asked the residents of Musazai, Hazarkhwani, Choha Gujar and Pandu villages to gather outside the Rehman Baba grid station. He also asked the residents of Deh Bahadar, Achar, Ahmad Khel Bazidkhel and Javed Abad to assemble outside the Kohat Road grid station.

“No one can give you your genuine rights with requests, rather you need to snatch your rights,” he asked the people in the video message.

Speaking to the protesters, MPA Ilahi said duration of power outages had increased to 18 hours in his constituency despite the fact that Pesco had agreed with him that only 12 hours loadshedding would be carried out in the area.

The protesters dispersed peacefully when Pesco officials agreed to abide by the agreement.

Meanwhile, PTI MNAs Sher Ali Arbab and Shandana Gulzar told reporters on Monday that duration of loadshedding suddenly increased in their constituencies. They said the province was producing low cost electricity, but the residents got power at unbearably high price.

Shandana Gulzar claimed residents of her constituency were facing 22 hours of loadshedding.

Published in Dawn, September 3rd, 2024