SWABI: Awami National Party (ANP) leaders in a protest staged in front of Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) office in district headquarters Swabi on Thursday said that Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf leadership’s justifications will not work as they were the elected representatives of people and “it is their responsibility to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply not only in the district but across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.”

The protesters set up a stage in front of the Pesco office on Swabi-Jehangira road and the traffic remained blocked in scorching heat during four-hour long protest. They chanted slogans against PTI, Pesco and elected representatives who they said had left the power consumers at the mercy of prolonged power outages.

Salim Khan advocate, former provincial general secretary of ANP while addressing the protestors recalled that a few-days back former speaker of the National Assembly Asad Qaiser on the floor of the house had stated power is federal government’s issue, said the PTI leadership cannot absolve itself of the responsibility.

“Pesco has remained under the provincial government and elected representatives manage power outages according to their wishes,” he claimed.

Awwal Sher Khan, former provincial minister and Mukhtiar Khan, former advisor to chief minister said that PTI leaders seek face saving but the ANP is creating awareness among people that the PTI is responsible for the whole power mess.

Asifur Rehman, district president and Nawab Zada, general secretary said that the protest was a clear message to the PTI leadership to take practical steps and result-oriented measures rather than confining themselves to their air-conditioned rooms, to resolve the issue.

Later the protesters marched to Swabi Deputy Commissioner office where talks between ANP leaders and officials were held. “We told DC that power outages time should be reduced within three days; otherwise we will stage more protests,” said Nawab Zada.”

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2025