LAHORE, Jan 3: Scores of residents, traders and workers of Lakshami Chowk and its adjacent localities lodged a strong protest against power outages and gas loadshedding at Faisal Chowk on The Mall on Saturday.

The angry mob turned up at Lakshami Chowk at around 1pm, blocked the road and set tyres on fire.

They chanted slogans against the government for its inefficiency to overcome power and gas crises and demanded immediate restoration of both basic necessities.

They regretted that their normal life and business had been affected adversely after the Wapda and the SNGPL carried out unscheduled loadshedding.

They protested for an hour and later dispersed.

Qila Gujjar Singh police officials, who were present at the spot, extinguished the fire and diverted traffic to other roads.

In another protest, a large number of office-bearers of All Pakistan Small Printers Association, owners and workers gathered at Faisal Chowk, blocked the road and burnt tyres.

They said owing to closure of industry owners were suffering losses while workers had become unemployed.

They demanded the government immediately restore power.

Some angry protesters carrying clubs tore apart the banners and hoardings of Pakistan People’s Party leaders, installed at the chowk, to show their anger against the PPP government.

Officials of Civil Lines police, who were present at the spot, acted as silent spectators and did not stop the protesters for damaging the banners and hoardings and blocking the road for traffic.