PESHAWAR, Dec 30: The residents of various localities took out protest rallies here on Friday against gas and electricity loadshedding and warned the government to control the energy crisis otherwise they will continue demonstrations and in case of any damage to government or private property the entire responsibility will rest with the rulers.

The main rally was held after Friday prayers at Jinnah Park under the auspices of Jamaat-i-Islami, Peshawar, which also blocked traffic on the main Charsadda Road for some time. The protesters carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the loadshedding also chanted anti-government slogans.

Leading the procession, Peshawar chapter JI amir Bahrullah advocate, provincial general secretary Shabbir Ahmed and others condemned the government for its failure to ensure smooth supply of gas and electricity to the consumers.

Mr Shabbir warned that if the government did not control the loadshedding his party would bring the people on the roads. He demanded of the Supreme Court to take suo motu notice of the energy crisis and inefficiency of the government. He said that his party would also contact the business community to give a strike call in this regard.

The JI activists said that the Awami National Party had promised to provide 100 units of electricity free of cost to the consumers in the province, but it soon forgot its election promise. They said that the government was doing nothing except following the pro-American policies and minting money.

Protest demonstrations were also held in Yakatoot, Gulbahar and Badbher against the power and gas loadshedding. The people said that they had been facing acute problems due to gas loadshedding and could not cook food in their houses.

The residents of Badbher said that power supply remained suspended for 14-18 hours daily which had made their lives miserable. They said that there was acute shortage of water in their areas due to p-ower outages.