LOWER DIR: The Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) workers on the call of the Wapda hydro electric central labour union, on Tuesday, observed a complete pen-down strike, bringing official work to a halt. The protesters also staged a sit-in outside the Wapda complex in Timergara to press for their long-standing demands.

The protesting employees wearing black armbands also raised slogans against the acute shortage of field staff, compulsory overtime duties, and the increasing workload.

Addressing the protesters, divisional chairman Fahmeed Iqbal, zonal secretary Fazal Kabir, divisional general secretary Malik Nasrullah Khan, and vice chairman Malik Nasruddin Khan expressed deep concern over the staff shortage crisis, stating that the Pesco was operating with nearly 70 percent fewer staff than required.

They said the shortage has resulted in excessive workload and rising incidents of workplace accidents, particularly due to the lack of proper training of the field workers.

Call for solution to longstanding issues

The speakers also highlighted the long-standing issue of vacant posts of meter readers, which, they said, had caused delays in timely meter readings, leading to disputes between consumers and employees.

During the protest, the employees passed a resolution demanding restoration of the marriage grant scholarship, recruitment of the children of employees, who died during services, immediate regularisation of ad-hoc workers, and approval of a 10 percent ad-hoc and 30 percent utility allowance.

The strike caused significant inconvenience to consumers who had visited Wapda offices for various services, many of whom returned disappointed.

The union leaders warned that if their demands were not met promptly, a second phase of the protest movement would be launched.

ROAD PROTECTION WALL: A retaining wall near the Darangal Bridge on Shahi Road in Samarbagh, which had collapsed a few days ago, was repaired following public complaints. However, the local residents on Tuesday expressed concern over the poor quality of the repair work by the contractor as no proper drainage system was ensured for rainwater.

They said there was a risk that the repaired wall may collapse, especially during heavy rainfall, warning that if immediate measures were not taken, the road could become impassable, and nearby areas may suffer more damages.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2025