chitral photos 483, 89, 90, 93, 94, 502, 504, 509, 513, 14

Anger protesters blocked roads, set in front of DCO office against

longest load shedding. Complete shutter down and wheel jam strike.

 

CHITRAL: Hundred of anger protesters leading by leaders of different

political (including PPP), religious parties and representatives of

civil societies carried a protest rally stated from Chew bridge

Chitral passing through different bazaars. The anger protesters

carried banners and placards inscribing that Wapda badly failed in

management of electricity distribution and exercising 16 to 22 hours

continue load shedding. The agitation and protest was held on the call

of Wing commander retired Fardad Ali Shah a PPP leader. The rally and

procession was gathered at Ataleeq square where it converted in a

public meeting presiding over by Fardad Ali Shah. The anger protesters

strongly criticized malpractices of Pesco staff who not distributing

electricity equally and disconnecting links of some areas for 16 to 22

hours continuously. They also criticized their elected

representatives for badly failure in solving this problem and burning

issue. They demanded for posting out of Line Superintendent Ghulam

Rashid who creating such problems in power distribution. They also

demanded from the high ups of WAPDA to run diesel generators for power

generation and to settle this problem. Haji Ghulam Hussain, Qari

Naseem, Muliv Abdul Sami, Fardad Ali Shah and other political leaders

strongly condemned Provincial minister for Population welfare Saleem

Khan who badly failed to vow his promise of renewal of instruments and

units at local hydro power station and settlement problem of longest

load shedding.

 

There was complete shutter down strike and wheel jam protest in

Chitral town. The anger protesters later on came to District

Coordination Officer (DCO) office where they set in a protest in front

of DCO and District Nazim office and warned of continuation of their

strike until fulfillment of their demands. Hence leaders of the

protest committee meet DCO, DPO who contacted high ups of Wapda and

Warsak to persuade them for running diesel generators. They also

visited local hydropower house and meet Resident Engineer Mr. Khalil

who assured them for contacting his high up for approval of diesel

generator.. They were also assured by DCO that Ghulam Rashid would not

be allow to enter at Chitral again and negotiations regarding

up-gradation of power house also in progress. Hundred of people also

had blocked all roads coming and go out of Chitral as a protest by

lying heavy stones and poles in the middle of the road. It is wroth to

mention here that Peshawar Electricity Supply Company (Pesco) staff

removing links of transformers to disconnect electricity supply and

connect it after 13 to 16 hours and sometimes 22 hours continuously.

As a result hospital, Bazar and traders badly suffering. Although

there is no shortage of power generation because the local power house

having the capacity of 1 megawatt, Reshun power house 2.5 megawatt,

national grid station transmission line carrying 33 KV as well as 200

micro hydro power stations have been completed by Aga Khan Rural

Support Program generating some 8 Megawatt electricity. But due to

mismanagement and laziness Pesco staff could not managed power supply

who removing links of transformers and disconnect power supply

continue for 16 hours but sometimes it exceed to 22 hours. As a

result consumers facing great hardships in this sever hot weather and

increasing number of mosquitoes.

Hence on the assurance of DCO and district administration the anger

protesters ended their strike and dispersed peacefully.

 

G.H. Farooqi PO Box No. 50 GPO Chitral Pakistan phone No. 03025989602,

0943-302295, 414418

Email: gulhamad@gmail.com

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