Hunza electricity woes: sit-in on KKH enters third day

HUNZA: Amid sub-zero temperature, residents of Hunza continued their sit-in at Aliabad for third consecutive day on Sunday, blocking the Karakoram Highway in protest against 22-hour of electricity blackout.

Organized by the Hunza Awami Action Committee and trade associations, the protest began on Friday after multiple rounds of negotiations with district authorities failed to yield results.

The demonstrators are demanding an immediate resolution to the energy crisis, including the operation of thermal generators to alleviate power outages and the expedited completion of pending power projects.

Pakistan People’s Party leader from Hunza, Zahoor Elahi, told HUM News English that the situation had become unbearable. “Our two main demands are running thermal generators immediately and speeding up the completion of power projects. We will not end our sit-in until these demands are met,” he said.

Earlier, district officials convened a meeting with protesters, offering to connect the transmission line from Guro-Jaglot to central Hunza and Murtazaabad to Hussainabad, which they claimed would supply 1.5 MW of electricity in winter and 4–5 MW in summer. However, protesters have rejected the proposal, citing that Gilgit itself faces crippling 22-hour power outages.

Also read: Prolonged blackouts take a toll on G-B’s environment, economy

Meanwhile, residents of Danyore have threatened to stage sit-in protest on the Karakoram Highway if electricity from Guro Jaglot power house was provided to Hunza, neglecting the sub-division. Danyore youth assert that electricity from the Guro Powerhouse is their rightful share, and its diversion to Hunza is unjust.

“Despite enduring 20-hour outages, Danyore continues to be neglected while other regions are favored. This is unacceptable,” they said in a statement. They warned that if the unfair distribution of electricity persists, they will organize large-scale demonstrations, holding the authorities accountable for any disruption caused.

With dwindling water flow amid sub-freezing temperatures, the power outages have reached alarming levels across G-B, severely impacting residents, businesses, and the environment.

The majority of the region is experiencing power outages lasting over 24 hours, forcing residents and businesses to rely on unsafe energy alternatives.

For many, power outages have become a harsh reality, with restaurants, banks, freelancers, and other businesses among the hardest hit. “We can’t afford these prolonged outages. Our work relies on consistent electricity, and these blackouts are pushing us to the brink,” lamented Hujjat Hussain, a local freelancer, while talking to HUM News English earlier.