THIS is about the shutterdown in Chitral town for the last four days to press public demand to provide electricity to the 8,000 consumers of Pesco in the town.

It is deplorable that so far higher authorities and public representatives have paid no attention to the shutterdown.

The traders' union and the driver union have joined hands to continue their protest for another five days.

It is pertinent to note that the problem of power breakdown dates back to 10 years.

In July 2008, incumbent MNA Shahzada Mohiuddin had promised to a gathering at Chew Bridge to solve the problem of power breakdown in Chitral within two months, but he did not solve the problem even after a lapse of two years.

Provincial Minister Salim Khan did nothing despite his promises and posters. It is wrong to say that the problem was created by snowfall.

As a matter of fact, the problem was there even before the snowfall. This problem is not linked with the national grid.

Chitral town has its own hydel powerhouse and four diesel power generators. The power breakdown is not because of power shortage, it is just because of mismanagement.

Therefore, the people are supporting the shutterdown. The only way to call off the shutterdown is rehabilitation of old machinery in the powerhouse and providing diesel for running the generators.

Had there been a will, this problem would have been solved two years back.

BASHIR HUSSAIN AZAD
Chitral