CHARSADDA: Local leaders of major political parties on Monday called for urgent measures to address prolonged electricity loadshedding, deteriorating law and order and deficiencies in healthcare and education during a multi-party conference (MPC) held at the deputy commissioner’s office.

The meeting, chaired by DC Dr Azmatullah Khan Wazir, was attended by the district police officer (DPO), Pesco executive engineer (Xen), medical superintendent of the District Headquarters Hospital and leaders of political parties, including Awami National Party, Jamaat-i-Islami, Qaumi Watan Party, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz.

The participants expressed deep concern over prolonged and unscheduled electricity outages, low voltage, frequent tripping, rising crime, drug abuse, inadequate healthcare facilities and other civic issues confronting the people of the district.

The conference unanimously demanded a uniform 12-hour loadshedding schedule across all feeders, arguing that no locality should be subjected to discriminatory power outages. Pesco officials assured the meeting that recommendations would be forwarded to higher authorities for reducing unscheduled loadshedding, improving voltage and minimising unnecessary tripping. The participants also urged the public to cooperate with the authorities in curbing electricity theft and illegal power connections.

The meeting voiced concern over incidents of murder, robbery, snatching and growing use of narcotics, particularly crystal meth (ice), and called for effective action against criminals. It also demanded that station house officers (SHOs) be posted strictly on merit and in accordance with police rules to improve policing in the district.

On the health sector, the participants highlighted the absence of MRI and CT scan facilities at the District Headquarters Hospital, shortage of medical equipment and other deficiencies. The deputy commissioner directed the hospital administration to improve healthcare services, while the medical superintendent assured the meeting that efforts would be made to resolve the issues.

The MPC also decided to constitute a joint working committee comprising one representative from each participating political party. The committee will remain in regular contact with the deputy commissioner, monitor progress on public issues and hold monthly review meetings.

The participants pledged to continue working jointly, irrespective of political differences, for resolving public issues, maintaining law and order and improving essential services in the district.

Following the meeting, deputy commissioner Dr Azmatullah Khan Wazir wrote to the chief engineer of the Peshawar Electric Supply Company through the executive engineer, urging immediate measures to ensure at least 12 hours of electricity supply on all feeders, reduce unscheduled loadshedding, improve voltage levels and eliminate unnecessary tripping.

The letter noted that daily protests against prolonged power outages were creating the risk of law and order problems and sought an urgent response from the power utility. A copy of the letter was also forwarded to the commissioner of Peshawar for action.

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2026