Peshawar, June 18: Angry residents demonstrated across several cities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, including capital Peshawar, to protest against unannounced 20-hour-long electricity load shedding even during Eid-al-Adha.
Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur has voiced sharp criticism regarding the persistent problem of load-shedding in the province during Eid-al-Adha.
In a video statement, he expressed concern over complaints of irregularities in the implementation of electricity load-shedding schedules.
Gandapur said the provincial government has been actively cooperating with Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) to address issues related to line losses.
However, he pointed out that the commitments made by the federal government in this regard have not been fulfilled, leading to discontent among the people.
Highlighting the severity of the situation, the KP CM announced plans for a second meeting with the federal government to discuss the ongoing electricity load-shedding issues.
“We will not remain silent on this matter,” Gandapur threatened.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader and Member of the National Assembly Asad Qaiser voiced strong criticism against the load shedding in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which have intensified over the last three days, leading to the spoilage of sacrificial meat for many residents.
The PTI leader expressed frustration, pointing out that despite the presence of the Tarbela Dam in their province, the region is still subjected to severe load shedding. He claimed the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are being punished for their support of PTI in the elections.
“We have always upheld the constitution and the law, but the current situation has exceeded all limits,” Qaiser said.
He pledged to bring the issue to the forefront during protests and his budget speech on the assembly floor, demanding an end to the load shedding and calling for more affordable electricity.
Qaiser stressed that the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should not suffer due to “political vendetta” and urged the government to address the issue promptly. “We do not accept load shedding and expensive electricity; this cruelty must be stopped,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, in areas like Afridi Ghari and Umar Gul Road, people took to the streets in protest, shutting down Bara Road Customs Chowk to all traffic due to the unbearable heat, made worse by up to 20-hours of power cuts.
Similar protests were reported in Mardan, where residents endured a 20-hour outage, prompting protests where a tire was set ablaze on Swabi Road amid anti-government slogan shouting against severe load shedding on the festive days.
In Kirk, women joined the protests against unannounced load shedding, leading to the closure of Main Kirk Road to all traffic.
Protesters voiced frustration, highlighting that the worst load shedding occurred precisely on the first and second day of Eid.
