Protests erupt in various cities against soaring electricity bills

ISLAMABAD: Thousands of Pakistanis took to the streets on Friday to protest against sky-high electricity bills and burned their bills and blocked roads in several cities across the country.

The protesters, who included traders, students, religious groups and civil society members, demanded the government to withdraw the additional charges and taxes imposed on their electricity bills, which they said had made their lives unbearable amid rising inflation and economic hardship.

They also expressed their anger at the frequent power outages and the poor quality of service provided by the state-owned Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and its distribution companies.

In Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, residents of Shaheen Muslim Town and neighbouring areas chanted slogans against WAPDA and the government.

In Punjab, protesters in Mananwala, Sheikhupura and other cities surrounded the WAPDA office and brought traffic to a standstill on the Grand Trunk Road, a major highway connecting several cities.

Similar scenes were witnessed in Raheem Yar Khan, where protesters marched from Dua Chowk to the Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) office, waving black flags and banners.

In Taunsa Sharif in Dera Ghazi Khan district, protesters led by student groups and religious parties called for an immediate removal of the extra charges and warned of a complete strike on Monday if the government did not comply.

In Attock district, protesters clashed with the police, who had to call for reinforcements to disperse the crowds. Some protesters lay down on the roads, blocking vehicles and shouting slogans against the government.

“Our children are dying of hunger. People are selling valuable items, while others have been forced to resort to thievery,” one protester told a local TV channel.

“Our predicament lies in choosing between having two square meals daily or scrambling to secure funds for these expenses,” said Jatoi’s residents, appealing for empathy.

People torch inflated electricity bills in Rawlakot

In Multan and Pakpattan districts, protesters burned tires and electricity bills, creating smoke and fire on the roads.

In Chishtian district, WAPDA cut off the electricity supply to several houses as a punitive measure for non-payment of the hefty bills.

The country’s annual inflation rate rose to 9.7% in July, the highest in more than two years, driven by higher food and fuel prices.

IESCO seeks police deployment

Meanwhile, the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) has sought the deployment of police force outside its offices in Rawalpindi as consumers have started protesting against inflated bills.

In a letter to the police, IESCO Superintending Engineer said that “Your kind attention is invited towards, this important issue that consumers are visiting different offices of IESCO in shape of group / mob & protesting against the IESCO on electricity issues. The employees of IESCO are feeling un-rest while performing their duties.”

The letter further said that “the situation is quite alarming which may lead to create law & order, damaging of IESCO property/installations etc. It is therefore, requested to kindly deploy Police Force at IESCO, Offices to ensure protection of IESCO, employees & property to avoid unpleasant”.