INTERNATIONAL DESK: Traders, transporters, CNG station owners and people from other walks of life demonstrated in the provincial capital against the excessive power and gas cuts and demanded of the government to ensure an immediate smooth supply of electricity and natural gas.
They gathered outside the Peshawar Press Club and shouted slogans against hike in gas and power tariffs, which, they declared, an act of sheer injustice by the government towards them.
The speakers, including All Pakistan CNG Owners Association provincial president Fazal Muqeem, Public Transport Owners Association provincial president Khan Zaman and MPA Fazal Ilahi, complained that the unannounced gas outages continuing for over two weeks had disturbed businesses.
“Gas supply has been suspended without schedule and thus, badly hitting our business,” Fazal Muqeem said.
He said the hike in power tariff and frequent outages had also caused CNG price to go up to Rs9 per kg and that investors had to run those filling stations on diesel due to the frequent power cuts and thus, suffering losses.
MPA Fazal Ilahi said domestic consumers regularly paid bills but even then, they were subjected to excessive gas cuts.
He complained that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produced electricity and natural gas more than its needs but even then, the federal government didn’t ensure their smooth supply to the residents in violation of the constitutional provisions.
The transporters complained that they were struggling to manage their expenses following unprecedented hike in oil prices over the weeks.
They demanded an immediate withdrawal of the hike to the relief of all.
The traders also demonstrated in Qissa Khwani Bazaar against the recent increase in gas and power tariffs and complained about prolonged power and gas outages despite traffic hikes.
They shouted slogans against Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Peshawar Electric Supply Company over the gas and power crises.
Another demonstration was held against excessive power cuts on the major Swabi-Mardan Road, which was blocked to traffic at Gohati Bridge.
The protesters shouted slogans against both federal and provincial governments blaming them for the current economic mess and energy crisis.
They said political leaders were unwilling to abandon their luxurious life and instead, they were unjustifiably asking the inflation-hit common man for more sacrifices.
The protesters warned that if the excessive power cuts didn’t come to an end within three days, more street protests would be staged.
They said they would meet Swabi’s deputy commissioner to apprise him of their misery and seek immediate corrective measures by the relevant authorities.
Da Haq Awaz, a local public welfare body, had given the call for protest. No political leaders joined protesters.
In a meeting, leaders of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf blamed power and gas outages on the incompetence of the ‘imported’ federal government. (Dawn)
জুমবাংলা নিউজ সবার আগে পেতে Follow করুন জুমবাংলা গুগল নিউজ, জুমবাংলা টুইটার , জুমবাংলা ফেসবুক, জুমবাংলা টেলিগ্রাম এবং সাবস্ক্রাইব করুন জুমবাংলা ইউটিউব চ্যানেলে।
