SWABI: The people of Swabi called off their sit-in on Wednesday after the district administration officials promised to gradually reduce the duration of electric loadshedding and eradicate the drug menace within 15 days.

The people had blocked the Swabi-Topi Road outside the deputy commissioner’s office on Monday under the banner of Swabi Action Committee (SAC), demanding provision of low-cost electricity, an end to excessive loadshedding, overbilling and eradication of drug use. They stayed put on the road even during night despite biting cold.

As more and more people joined in the sit-in, the administration and the police were under pressure to reopen main road because supply of raw material to Gadoon Amazai Industrial Estate had been stopped for last three days.

The district administration officials met the protest leaders.

The officials had also enlisted the support of ulema, who urged the protesters to end the agitation as the Peshawar Electric Supply Company would gradually reduce power outage duration, finally making the district loadshedding-free.

Prominent religious figure Maulana Mohammad Tayyab was also part of the district administration’s negotiating team.

It was learnt that SAC leaders wanted to end the sit-in on Tuesday night, but the workers were not ready and vowed to stay put on the road till their demands were met.

Salim Khan Advocate, spokesperson of SAC, said that the decision to either continue with the protest or end it rested with the general public. He said only with people’s cooperation they could achieve their objectives.

Published in Dawn, December 26th, 2024