MOHMAND: All markets, roads and bazaars remained closed in Mohmand tribal district on Tuesday as people took to streets in a large number against the prolonged power loadshedding.

The protesters blocked the main Peshawar-Bajaur road to traffic in front of Ghalanai grid station. They complained that duration of power loadshedding in rural areas was increased up to 23 hours per day during the past few months. They also alleged that supply of electricity to several remote areas of the district was suspended.

The call for the protest was given by ‘Electricity Action Committee’. The members of the committee include Malik Nisar Ahmed Halimzai, Malik Mohammad Ali Shinwari, Fazal Hadi, Safdar Khan, Zahid Khan, Abdul Majeed, Ayaz Khan and Salamat Shah.

People staged protest in all the major markets of Mian Mandi, Chanda, Ghalanai and Ekkaghund.

Addressing the protesters, local political leaders and tribal elders said that Warsak and Mohmand dams were built near the district but people of the area were deprived of electricity.

They said that Mohmand people were deprived of their constitutional and legal rights. They alleged that natural resources of Mohmand were being usurped.

The speakers said that people provided their land for Mohmand Dam at a very low price so it was responsibility of Wapda authorities to give royalty to locals. They said that uninterrupted power supply to the area should be ensured.

They threatened to intensify their protest if their demands were not accepted. They said that they would stage a sit-in in front of grid stations.

Some of the enraged protesters tried to attack the grid station in Ghalanai but local leaders stop them. After a 10-hour protest, the executive engineer of Wapda and Deputy Commissioner Dr Mohammad Ehtishamul Haq held talks with the protesters.

The officials assured the protestors that a committee would be formed to arrange negotiation with Tesco chief for controlling loadshedding.

After signing a written agreement with the officials, protesters dispersed peacefully. According to the agreement, Wapda will ensure power supply for at least seven hours from all the feeders in Mohmand.

Published in Dawn, March 8th, 2023