LAKKI MARWAT: The severe hot and dry weather has created a drought-like situation, causing the shortage of fodder for livestock in the sandy and plain areas of Lakki Marwat district.

This year the summer is more intense in the southern district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, adding to the troubles of residents, especially those living in sandy areas.

On one hand, people are facing the brunt of extreme heat, while on the other they are worried about arranging fodder for their quadrupeds.

Cattle keepers told Dawn that if it rained after the harvest of wheat and gram crops, a little fodder grew, which was useful for the livestock in the summer.

Farmers say problem more critical in sandy areas

They said the rural population was mainly dependent upon livestock for their living.

“We fear the lack of fodder may deprive us of the only source of our livelihood,” said a farmer.

Farmers said cattle heads were set free in open places outside the villages in search of fodder every day but the animals returned without finding any fodder for them.

“The rainfall in the area has decreased significantly during the ongoing year and the situation has distressed both humans and animals,” they said.

PROTEST: Residents of several urban areas once again took to streets on Saturday night to record their protest against low voltage and fluctuation problems.

It was the second protest staged by the people over the last one week.

The protesters from Mohallah Haqdadabad, Mohallah Sheikhan, Mohallah Begokhel, Lari Adda, Stadium Road and other urban areas came out of their houses and gathered on the Kargil Chowk, where they kept the Bannu-Mianwali Road closed for some time.

The protest call was given by a newly-established organisation, Lakki City Nangyali.

On the occasion, neighbourhood council chairman Eng Latifullah Khan and other speakers said the low voltage of electricity and its fluctuations on the Old Kutchery feeder had significantly increased over the last several days.

They said that people could not switch on their electrical appliances, including refrigerators and fans, due to low voltage and flickers.

“Peshawar Electric Supply Company receives the highest revenue from the consumers of urban localities, which are supplied with the power from the Old Kucthery feeder,” they maintained.

Latifullah said elders would meet the local Pesco officials at the office of deputy commissioner on Monday to discuss the problem.

Some protesters alleged that Pesco officials were deliberately dropped electricity voltage so people could not use air conditioners and other electrical appliances.

Published in Dawn, June 16th, 2025