BATTAGRAM/KOHAT: The staff of the District Headquarters Hospital, Battagram, took to the streets on Wednesday to protest against excessive electric loadshedding on the hospital’s supply line.

On the other hand, a large number of power consumers and local body members on Wednesday locked the Urban-II offices of Pesco in Kohat after expelling the staff in protest against the excessive loadshedding.

Doctors, paramedics and supporting staff of the Battagram hospital gathered in front of the hospital gate on the main Karakoram Highway and chanted slogans against Peshawar Electric Supply Company. They also started a pen-down strike, which they threatened, would continue till their demands were met. Only emergency services will be provided during this period, they said.

Deputy medical superintendent Dr Rahim Khan said that the hospital had a special transmission line that was supposed to be loadshedding-free. However, Pesco carried out unjust and illegal loadshedding for hours despite the fact that the hospital has no outstanding bills, he claimed.

In Kohat, power protesters lock Pesco offices after expelling staff

Dr Khan emphasised that the hospital needed uninterrupted electricity to operate its tube well, provide water for sanitation, and power its dialysis unit. He added that newborns’ lives were at risk because incubators required electricity to function. Surgeries have also been halted and delayed due to power outages.

He said the hospital’s administration had previously written to the district administration and Pesco officials to address the issue, but their concerns were ignored.

The medical superintendent said that the staff was forced to take to the streets to raise awareness about their plight.

Patients and their families also joined the protest, expressing their frustration with the district administration, Pesco and the government.

An elderly patient said that he had been hospitalised for two days but couldn’t undergo surgery due to the power outage. Another patient said that his wife had to return home without receiving treatment because the hospital’s equipment was not working due to the power outage.

Abdul Ghaffar, president of the local traders’ association, said the recovery of electricity bills in Battagram was over 90%. He questioned why Pesco was carrying out unjust loadshedding in the area.

Social activist Dr Fayaz Panjgul demanded that the ‘unjust’ loadshedding should be stopped immediately, especially on the DHQ Hospital’s special line.

Meanwhile, a large number of power consumers and local body members on Wednesday locked the Urban-II offices of Pesco in Kohat after expelling the staff in protest against the excessive loadshedding.

The protesters gave a three-day deadline to Pesco authorities to restore supply on Lachi Express and Jarma feeders and carry out loadshedding as per schedule, or they would seize the grid station and block roads.

The protesters said they were being punished for only two per cent of thieves, who they alleged were hand in glove with the Pesco officials.

Meanwhile, prolonged loadshedding in the city areas is also hitting the consumers hard.

Published in Dawn, January 2nd, 2025