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GILGIT: Protests erupted in different parts of Gilgit and Chilas against massive power loadshedding amid soaring temperatures. Protesters blocked the Karakoram Highway (KKH), in Jutial, chanting slogans against the government.
A large number of people blocked the Chowk Road in Jutial and held a demonstration against prolonged power breakdowns.
The protesters said the people are currently experiencing over 10 hours’ daily loadshedding during the soaring temperature and children and patients are facing an unbearable situation.
Protesters said the authorities were justified in winter to carry out power loadshedding due to low water discharge in rivers of the region, but now they have no excuse to make the people suffer in scorching heat as water flow in all rivers is massive.
Demonstrators block Karakoram Highway, chant slogans against government
They said the people were facing daily loadshedding of 22 hours in winter season and now authorities have failed to provide required electricity to residents in the summer season also.
Women protesters also took to streets in Oshikhandass area in Gilgit against continuous and unannounced loadshedding.
They raised slogans against the government and said the people are without electricity for many hours and authorities concerned have failed to improve the situation.
They said the situation is unbearable due to extremely high temperature in the region. They warned that if power is not supplied to the area, the protest will be expanded to other areas.
Earlier, a demonstration was also held in Chilas against prolonged power load-shedding.
Speaking on the occasion, speakers said the people of Chilas are experiencing 40 degrees temperature without electricity.
They said that children, elderly, women and patients are facing severe difficulties because of unbearable heat. Due to the continuous non-availability of power, domestic life, business activities, water supply, education system and other basic matters have been badly affected.
They demanded the GB government to end power crisis in Chilas.
Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2026
