NOWSHERA, Dec 28: A large number of people took out a procession and blocked the Nowshera-Mardan road on Thursday in protest against improper supply of electricity and gas in Nowshera for several days.

Members of the district council also took part in the protest rally.

The protesters chanted slogans against the Peshawar Electric Supply Company and the Sui Northern Gas Supply Company Limited.

They said because of the short supply, their routine lives had been affected. Many consumers were compelled to switch over to the liquid petroleum gas, they said.

They alleged that the two companies were overcharging consumers in many areas, but failed to maintain proper supply. They said loadshedding of electricity had also started in rural areas of the district.

The protesters warned that if the government did not ensure smooth supply of gas and electricity, they would block the highway again.

Later senior officials of the district government assured the protesters that their grievances would be raised with the high-ups of the two companies. Subsequently, the protest was called off.