MANSEHRA: Traders in the Oghi area here on Tuesday observed a complete shutter-down strike and took to the streets to protest prolonged and unscheduled power outages in the city and its suburbs.

“We have held talks with the Peshawar Electric Supply Company and even with the tehsil administration, demanding an immediate end to daylong suspension of power supply under the guise of repairs as well as trimming of branches of roadside trees, but to no avail,” president of traders’ body Attaullah Tanoli told protesters.

The traders observed a complete shutter-down strike and staged a sit-in at Milad Chowk.

Shops and business centres in the city and surrounding areas remained closed throughout the day.

The protesters shouted slogans against the government and Pesco.

“Our businesses are barely breaking even because of the daylong power outages disguised as maintenance of transmission lines and trimming of tree branches along the Oghi-Mansehra and other roads,” Mr Tanoli said.

He said that the deputy commissioner had directed the Pesco’s Xen in Mansehra to meet with traders and resolve the issue, but no action was taken.

Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf member national assembly Shahzada Gustasab Khan assured protesters that he would raise the issue of daylong power outages in the National Assembly.

“The federal government has failed to control power outages, so I will ensure this matter is discussed in the assembly,” he said.

Darband tehsil council chairman Dilbar Tanoli said that traders and local government representatives held talks with senior Pesco officials in the presence of the Oghi assistant commissioner but the issue was still unresolved.

Oghi assistant commissionerFahad Zia along with Pesco officials and police high-ups met with representatives of traders in the presence of MNA Shahzada

Gustasab Khan in the evening to discuss the issue.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2024