City cries out against outages!

• 16 hour power outage tortures citizens WWHL protests against outages, electricity tariff and anti-labour policies

The provincial capital experienced yet another day of long power outages in various areas submerging the city into complete darkness.

The most affected were the residents of Valencia Homes facing a 16 hour long power breakdown on Friday from 12am till after the Friday prayers.

It was learnt that the residents were deprived of the basic necessity following a routine power cut and were left at the mercy of the hot and humid weather with no alternate means, adding to their miseries.

A society official while talking to Pakistan Today said that the residents were not happy with the new and increased power tariff plan. After making their complaints to the electricity department some of the angry residents beat up an electricity official due to which the electricity supply line to the society was cut off.

A resident expressing her frustration said that telephone lines were kept constantly busy when she tried to contact the electricity emergency office during the wee hours of the morning.

Another complained about the corrupt officers and their laid back attitude towards the woes of the residents. He said that the children and the old were the most affected from the power breakdown as none were able to sleep.

Despite the fact that the society has two industrial grade generators to provide ease during lengthy power cuts they remained switched off. The society office making vague statements said that there was a problem with the generator line.

However, there was no water shortage as tube-wells kept running on separate generators, providing some relief to the residents.

Power was restored completely around 4pm.

The situation was no different throughout the metropolis. Urban and rural areas are facing up to 14 hours and 18 hours of load shedding respectively. The shortfall has increased to 5000 MW increasing the woes of the citizens.

WWHL PROTESTS AGAINST OUTAGES:

Moreover, the Women Workers Help Line (WWHL) staged a protest demonstration against inflation, General Sales Tax (GST), electricity tariff and anti-labour policies outside the Lahore Press Club on Friday.

Protestors chanted slogans against authorities for not controlling inflation, increased electricity tariff, increase in GST and demanded increase in laborers salaries.

Earlier, while addressing a seminar titled, ‘Present Political Situation of Pakistan and its Effects on Working Class” at Lahore Press Club, the speakers urged the government to control the increasing inflation rate and not to impose any tax on routinely used items.

Speakers included WWHL Chairperson Azra Shad, Human Rights Activist Salman Abid, Imtiaz ul Haq from SAP-Pakistan, Trade Union Leader Yousaf Baloch, WWHL Program Coordinator Salman Ali, Riffat Maqsood, Neelam Shahzadi and Asma Shahzadi.

Azra Shad said that every politician in the country wants to bring revolution or a change of system and the most ardent supporters and allies of the establishment are using the word “revolution” to completely discredit it. “They all want to protect their interests and the present system and status quo rather working for the interest of the working class,” she added.

She there is widespread discontent and anger amongst the masses against this capitalist system, and the ruling elite have failed to solve the basic problems faced by the working class and the poor. She said that the working class is a real agent of change, the “vanguard” of revolution, and will soon bring much needed social changes.

Salman Abid said, “The political system has been stagnant since 70′s and no drastic change has taken place for the working class till today,”

He said that the current is an elitist budget where the poor are taxed and rich were given benefits. He criticized that there is no mention of addressing inflation in the budget except establishing Sunday bazaars.

Salman was of the view that the current political situation of Pakistan is in dire need of substantial change and blamed the politicians for the riots.

Yousaf Baloch said, “Working class has to stand up for their rights. Different countries give budget in which working class is given opportunities and facilities but not in Pakistan. The elite and feudal are given a free hand and every policy is made to protect their rights.”

Imtiaz ul Haq observed that the budget lacked incentives for the poor and working class and said that only working class can abolish this rotten nexus between capitalism and feudalism.

WWHL Program Coordinator Salman Ali said, “The government has attacked the working class with economic drones loaded with withdrawing of subsidies and increase in electricity tariff which multiply the miseries manifold.”