Hours-long power loadshedding: Jirga threatens locking down Wapda House in Peshawar

PESHAWAR: The Khalil Qaumi Jirga on Monday threatened to lock down Wapda House and besiege the residence of chief executive of Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) if the hours-long electricity loadshedding in their area was not stopped within 24 hours.

A meeting of the jirga was held at the residence of Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) leader Arbab Khizer Hayat. The members including former provincial ministers Amanullah Haqqani and Kashif Azam, ex-MPAs Alamgir Khalil and Atifur Rahman and Pir Fida Advocate expressed anguish over more than 12 hours power loadshedding daily at Tehkal, Gharibabad, University Road, Jehangirabad, Shaheen Town, Palosai, Malakandher, Sufaid Dheri, Abdara, Nawan Killay and Pawaka. They said the Pesco had crossed all limits by suspending electricity to these areas more than 12 hours daily.

The speakers warned of launching a protest movement and blocking main roads, locking down Wapda House and circling the residences of Peco chief executive and chief engineer if the problem was not resolved within 24 hours. They said the step-motherly attitude with their areas would not be tolerated any more.

The jirga members said the officers concerned had been informed about the situation and miseries of the residents time and again but to no avail. They said the excessive loadshedding is not causing miseries to domestic consumers but also business has come to a standstill. The jirga members from all political parties asked Pesco authorities to take the matter seriously or else they would be responsible for any untoward incident.