Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday announced a long march against the federal government over massive power outages from March 31, accusing the Centre of meting out step-motherly treatment to the province. Talking to reporters, the chief minister said he would himself lead the long march, pointing out that load shedding was only being carried out in Punjab. He urged the traders and industrialists to join the million march against the federal government.
Shahbaz said the industry of the province had been destroyed, as production units had stopped functioning. He said while electricity was not being supplied, its tariffs were being raised every other day. The CM appealed the people to remain calm and not indulge in violence during protest demonstrations. Per details, protest demonstrations would be held in Lahore, Karachi, Quetta and Peshawar on March 31. Likewise, this phase would be continued in different cities of the country. On April 2, rallies would be held in Abbottabad, Sialkot, Hyderabad and Sahiwal. On April 4 public gatherings would be held in Rawalpindi, Bahawalpur, Kurk and Sargodha. Rallies would be taken out in Gujrat and Okara on April 5.