RAWALPINDI, June 30: Protesting against long and unscheduled power outages in the city, angry traders on Thursday set their “inflated” bills on fire.

The traders' protest rally also threatened to stage a sit-in in front of the Islamabad Electricity Supply Company (Iesco) office in Mareer Chowk if it failed to improve the situation within a week.

More than 200 traders, led by Markazi Anjuman Tajraan President Malik Shahid Ghafoor Paracha, gathered at Dingi Khoi near Hamilton Road and marched towards Fawara Chowk where they staged demonstration for an hour.

Carrying placards and banners demanding end to power outages, they also chanted slogans against the PPP government and Iesco. The protesters burnt tyres and wood on the road, blocking traffic in the busy Raja Bazaar, creating immense difficulties for commuters.

Liaquat Road, Iqbal Road, Jinnah Road, Ratta Road, Raja Bazaar Road and Ganjmandi Road, which lead to Fawara Chowk, remained block. In the Fawara Chowk, traders burnt their bills in protest.

Addressing the gathering, Malik Shahid said business activities had been badly affected due to unscheduled power outages. He said despite 16 hours loadshedding, Iesco had sent electricity inflated bills.

He claimed that because of the “US anger”, the federal government was not accepting the offers of Iran and China for importing electricity. “Both countries are ready to provide electricity to Pakistan on cheaper rates.” Other speakers said Rs1,500 per month bill of electricity has increased to Rs7,000.

They said traders did not want to come out on the streets, but the “faulty government policies” forced them to agitate. Later, the protesters peacefully dispersed.