ABBOTTABAD, Nov 30: The Peshawar Electricity Supply Company (Pesco) disconnected power supply to the Regional Passport Office Abbottabad on Tuesday due to non-payment of dues. According to revenue office of Pesco, an amount of Rs 94,700 is outstanding against the department since June 2005 for which reminders and disconnection notices had been issued.

As no action had been taken, power supply was earlier disconnected on Saturday which was temporarily restored on Monday but was again disconnected on Tuesday. People from all over Hazara division, especially from earthquake- affected areas, were facing severe problem as they could not get their passports from the office.

After the announcement of special immigration facility by various countries to the earthquake victims, the number of passport applicants has risen four times. However, the problems has also increased manifold.

People have called upon the interior minister to take immediate action on the matter and had also demanded for the return of urgent fee as now they would be getting passports in normal routine days.