SHANGLA: Most parts of the Shangla district have been experiencing excessive power outage for the last several days, causing problems to residents as the Peshawar Electric Supply Company has reportedly increased loadshedding duration to 19 hours in some parts.

Electric supply remained suspended to Alpuri, Puran, Martung, Chakisar, Makhozi tehsils and parts of Bisham, troubling residents, especially during Sehr and Iftar, even as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur promised smooth supply during these hours.

Rahat Ali Shah, a resident of Makhozi, said power supply to their locality had been suspended from midnight of Tuesday.

He said they expected there would be no power outage in Ramazan, but Pesco had rather enhanced outage duration.

Resident Habib Khan said they broke fast and offered Taraweeh prayers without power supply. He said it wasn’t clear why Pesco observed such a prolonged power outage.

When contacted, Pesco sub-divisional officer, Puran, Mohammad Junaid told Dawn that the firm had received a fresh schedule of loadsheding from its Peshawar head office. He said the power utility observed power outage of 18-19 hours in Puran and Martung tehsils and 14 hours in Alpuri tehsil, depending on the recovery rate. He said most consumers did not pay their bills, forcing the firm to carry out loadshedding.

ARRESTED: Alpuri assistant commissioner Naveed Khan on Wednesday ordered arrest of two butchers and two shopkeepers for violating the official price list.

He conducted raids in various bazaars of Alpuri to check prices of food items.

The administration officer also sealed their outlets.

He also imposed heavy fines on some shopkeepers for not displaying price list at their outlets. He warned the traders of imprisonment and fines if they indulged in profiteering.

Published in Dawn, March 14th, 2024