Peshawar: Power cuts bring people out on streets

[Naveed Yaseen]

* Consumers say PESCO authorities not adhering to load shedding schedule
* Rural areas facing 12-hour power outages

By Manzoor Ali Shah

PESHAWAR: The duration of load shedding in various parts of the city is increasing with each passing day, with the angry residents taking to the streets to protest the frequent power cuts by the Peshawar Electric Supply Company.

On Saturday, the residents of Mattani, Shah Qabool, Mathra, Adezai, Marium Zai, Sherkera and Urmur took to the roads to protest the prolonged power cuts.

They blocked the Indus Highway at Mattani after closing down Mattani Bazaar and attempted to attack the grid station but the police foiled it.

The charged protesters said that they were facing power outages for 14 to 16 hours during the day that was unbearable.

The protesters pulled back after senior police officers rushed to the scene and assured them of the solution of their problem. Power remained suspended from 11:00am to 2:00pm in most parts of the city on Sunday without any notice.

The residents said that the load shedding was not according to PESCO schedule and power supply to the areas was being cut in odd hours. The rural areas are facing over 12-hour load shedding.

Jamil Ahmed, a resident of Regi Village, told Daily Times that the area had no electricity from 4:00am to 12:00pm. He said water supply remained suspended due to power cuts thus multiplying their miseries.

A trader told Daily Times that power cuts had added to their woes, as the business activity had almost come to a full stop, bringing them losses. He said they had no additional money to purchase generators.

Last month, Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti had also expressed his displeasure at the unannounced load shedding in the provincial capital and other parts of province and directed the PESCO authorities to strictly adhere to its load shedding schedule.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp...009_pg7_11