People across major cities of the country have been facing extreme load shedding, a well condemned term for power outages in our neck of the woods, for well over five years now. Countless promises by the state functionaries and politicians in power have proven futile as nothing substantial seems to have been done to arrest the critically deteriorating situation regarding power supply.
This year’s Ramadan has not been an exception as well with power being in absence for more than 12 hours in major cities, like Lahore, and more than 18 hours in towns and rural areas, per day. People being fed up with prolonged duration of outages find no other way but to protest in order to get a utility that is considered equivalent to fundamental rights in many of the countries of the world. Government’s lack of any tangible action, other than their statements and holding of meetings, has made the matters even worse.
The worsening and widening energy shortfall has not helped the matters at all. With the power shortfall standing at 6,500 MW now, the country seems to plunge even more into darkness, in a manner of speaking. People took to the streets on Saturday, the eighth day of Ramadan, against the extended and unannounced power outages, especially during Sehari, Iftari and Travih timings across the province of Punjab and others, while turning violent in some cases.
In Jhelum, the protesters blocked the GT Road for more than three hours, burned tyres, besieged WAPDA offices and ransacked them, breaking doors, window panes and damaging other property. The city has not seen electricity for well over 18 hours. In Faisalabad, people protested against the power outages, burned tyres and chanted slogans against the government.
In Multan, the people staged a protest on Bahawalpur Road and raised slogans against the government and PEPCO authorities. Resultantly, traffic remained jam for almost three hours. The protestors said that they had been facing acute difficulties due to unannounced electricity load shedding.
Meanwhile, the residents of Pakpatan protested on Jamal Road against power outages and blocked the road towards Okara, Sahiwal and Arifwala. The demonstrators set the tyres on fire and also damaged power poles while protesting. The agonised locals said that they could not even observe the fast today due to high temperature and load shedding.
Police clashed with the protesters while trying to clear the road for traffic. They baton-charged and tear-gassed the rally. The protesters pelted police with stones. As a result, four constables, including an SHO, sustained injuries. Such far off areas as Chitral have also not been spared of this problem where the members of the Town Power Committee Saturday protested against unscheduled load shedding and called for an early end to power outages in the district the other day. The protest’s public meeting was presided over by Khan Hayatulla Khan, President of Town Power Committee. The members of the committee said that there was not a single power theft case reported in Chitral and people of the entire district paid their monthly utility bills regularly. Chairman WAPDA had also assured that there would be no load shedding in those areas where there was no power theft.
They said that chairman WAPDA had also assured for up-gradation of the local hydro power house. Through a resolution they demanded for interlinking Drosh, Reshun and Singor power houses and that the government should assure 24 hours electricity supply to town area including Balach, Singor and Shahmirandih villages.
Nothing will change unless PEOPLE give justice to ruling class
Bloody revolution against these rulers is the only way to teach them lesson. Destroy them before they destroy you.
Or we could vote for the right people…we live in a democratic set-up afterall?
And may I add, spare no one. Dont go for PPP only, get PMLN brothers and their stools out as well, grab everyone who associates with MQM, PMLQ. Hang them without trial & without time to explain.
People in general are illiterates, religious extremist. Unfortunately, they vote the same ruling class again and again. So the share the blame with the government in power.
People vote for the same class again and again because there is no alternative. The cartel / mafia of politicians is very strong.
Demonstartion on street wont help. People must physically attack president house, bilawal house p.m house and houses of minister and leaders of allied party. They should physically drag them out their houses and hang them in public. There is need of a violaent revolution. Only then these rulers will learn lesson. People get up and eliminate these rulers before they eliminate you. They are already causing miseries to you. You must take revenge.
And may I add, spare no one. Dont go for PPP only, get PMLN brothers and their stools out as well, grab everyone who associates with MQM, PMLQ. Hang them without trial & without time to explain.
Its time for action. For freedom.
Yes I agree get all these people and teach them lesson, cripple them, break their legs and arms so that dont dare to even physically unable to contest any election again.That is the only way get rid of these people once and for all. Come on people go for it.
Exactly. The recent disappointing action being the voting for Adbul Qadir Gillani. We sell ourselves far too short!
And these same people vote in the same crooks again and again as evidenced by the election of the younger Gilani in Multan! Hilarious to read there was a large protest in Multan against the rulers yesterday. We deserve these "leaders".
'Touche! And at the end of the day we probably ' deserve' loadshedding as well!
Sad but true…
For once I agree with all 7 comments made.Can anyone ask the president and the new rental PM why they are able to have light and water and the people can't,and they are the ones who elected them.Is there anyone out there in Pakistan who can replace these thugs.If the people elect the same government,then the people deserve to suffer,and hope they suffer like never before.14 hours of load shedding in the month of Ramzan,are you kidding me.
Dont just ask them. Invade their house and cut off supply of electricity, water and gas to their houses. Even better burn their houses to ashes.That is the only way they will see the light. Take revenge from these people and eliminate them. Stop paying taxes till these people come to senses.Save yourself from these monsters.
We finally have a chance. Its been repeated often & its worth repeating again.
We need Imran Khan even if hes inexperienced & nothing less than hanging these 4000-5000 corrupt politicians will do.
My question: Why media despite spending so much time and other resources on debates, develop A MECHANISM of RATING for RULERS/POLITICIANS and PROMOTE those who spend some time in poor families to experience their life style or conditions? It would be the most effective tool for helping the poor and solve the critical issues like POWER SUPPLY!
کیونکہ
دریا کو اپنی موج کی طغیانیوں سے کام
کشتی کسی کی پار ھو یا درمیاں رھے!
This is only because they have no problem in their life. Enjoying life with ACs. Just taking out the life style they talk about poor. They have no real experience of a poor life.
My question: Why media despite spending so much time and other resources on debates, develop A MECHANISM of RATING for RULERS/POLITICIANS and PROMOTE those who spend some time in poor families to experience their life style or conditions? It would be the most effective tool for helping the poor and solve the critical issues like POWER SUPPLY!
کیونکہ
دریا کو اپنی موج کی طغیانیوں سے کام
کشتی کسی کی پار ھو یا درمیاں رھے!
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