LANDI KOTAL, Sept 16: The Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), restored power supply to Landi Kotal tehsil on late Sunday after reaching an understanding with elders of Khyber Agency regarding meter installation in tribal areas.
The Wapda had disconnected power supply to Zakhakhel and Ali Masjid areas on Aug 26 after the residents refused to allow installation of electricity meters at their houses. Reacting to this the Zakhakhel armed tribesmen cut off power supply to the entire Landi Kotal tehsil on Sept 4.
On Sunday night, when the power was restored to the area, the residents of Landi Kotal celebrated it by firing in the air and taking out torch-bearing processions.
Zakhakhel youth also arranged a music show at Takiya Sultankhel to celebrate the occasion. Takiya was the venue for holding of tribal jirgas to evolve a strategy to counter Wapda campaign of installing meters.
The decision to restore electricity to the area was made after a series of meetings between tribal elders, the Wapda and provincial government officials during the last three days. A representative jirga of Khyber Agency elders, first met the NWFP home secretary and then the provincial chief secretary and apprised them of the problems being faced by the tribesmen due to power disconnection.
They urged the authorities to defer meter installation plan till the holding of general and local bodies elections in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).
In their correspondence with both central and provincial government, the political administration expressed their apprehensions that arrangements for the forthcoming general and local bodies elections would be hampered if the Wapda went ahead with its plan to install meters. They feared that protesting tribesmen would not allow polling booths polling staff in their areas.
Both the political administration and tribal elders were insisting that the installation could better be tackled by the elected representatives of the area.
During its meeting with government functionaries, the tribal jirga insisted the same theory and demanded that the issue be delayed till elections to the National Assembly and Senate. Later, it was decided that the plan be deferred till polls.
Wapda had earlier on so many occasions firmly said it would not go back on its plan. But after late Sunday decision, an official of the Wapda said the plan had been rolled back.