NEW DELHI: Residents of Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa took matters into their own hands on Saturday by storming the Hazar Khawgrid station to restore electricity after enduring prolonged loadshedding amidst the sweltering heat, as reported by Geo News.
The protest, led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Fazal Elahi, saw people entering the grid station despite heavy police presence.
Elahi said, “If our electricity is cut off, everyone’s electricity will be cut off.” According to Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) officials, the protesters forcibly switched on nine high-loss feeders, including Yaka Tut, Hazar Khawani, Akhunabad, and Newchamkani, where losses due to power theft and non-payment of dues exceed 80 percent.
Additionally, Lahore residents are also grappling with unannounced loadshedding, with some areas experiencing continuous power cuts for one hour every hour during the day. The demand for power in Lahore is 4200 MW, while the quota is 4000 MW. A fire at the Sabzazar grid station has further worsen the situation, putting pressure on other systems.
Earlier on May 15, women and residents of Chota Lahor tehsil in Swabi, Dera Ismail Khan, blocked roads to protest against prolonged power loadshedding lasting over 20 hours a day. The protesters expressed their frustration with political leaders who made promises during election campaigns but failed to address the electricity problem after securing victory. They vowed to hold these representatives accountable and not vote for them in future elections.
The protest, led by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) lawmaker Fazal Elahi, saw people entering the grid station despite heavy police presence.
Elahi said, “If our electricity is cut off, everyone’s electricity will be cut off.” According to Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) officials, the protesters forcibly switched on nine high-loss feeders, including Yaka Tut, Hazar Khawani, Akhunabad, and Newchamkani, where losses due to power theft and non-payment of dues exceed 80 percent.
Additionally, Lahore residents are also grappling with unannounced loadshedding, with some areas experiencing continuous power cuts for one hour every hour during the day. The demand for power in Lahore is 4200 MW, while the quota is 4000 MW. A fire at the Sabzazar grid station has further worsen the situation, putting pressure on other systems.
Earlier on May 15, women and residents of Chota Lahor tehsil in Swabi, Dera Ismail Khan, blocked roads to protest against prolonged power loadshedding lasting over 20 hours a day. The protesters expressed their frustration with political leaders who made promises during election campaigns but failed to address the electricity problem after securing victory. They vowed to hold these representatives accountable and not vote for them in future elections.