PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sardar Ali Amin Gandapur, strongly criticized the federal government for the hour-long electricity load shedding in the province. Protests erupted in major cities on the third day of Eidul Azha amid a heatwave.
Speaking at a news conference in Dera Ismail Khan on Wednesday, CM Gandapur, after handing the schedule for 12-hour load shedding to grid station officials, accused WAPDA of mistreating KP residents.
The chief minister harshly criticized the ruling PML-N, warning that if unrestrained power outages continued, he would take steps to halt the electricity supply. He expressed frustration over the federal government’s failure to fulfill its duties and called for the support of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s people in addressing these challenges.
Centre, KP Agree to Resolve Electricity Issues
Gandapur accused the federal government of stealing the mandate and neglecting its responsibilities, particularly in addressing the province’s electricity and financial issues. He stated that PTI governs Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and that despite repeated attempts, including a phone call after the deadline, the federal minister did not respond to the province’s urgent requests regarding unannounced load shedding.
The KP CM accused Pepco of mistreating Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and urged Dera Ismail Khan residents to avoid damaging Pepco’s assets. He mentioned informing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of the need for provincial funds, as the Centre owed KP Rs 1,600 billion. Gandapur added that PM Sharif has sought the province’s support over talks with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for a loan package.
“These people have assumed power through illegitimate means. I understand how they came into office and how to remove them,” Gandapur added.
Gandapur demanded the payment of the province’s due funds, threatening to inform the IMF if the funds were not paid. He warned the prime minister, “You are forcing us to push your government out of power. I know how to expel you from power. No one can prevent us from taking our due rights.”
The KP CM emphasized the federal government’s responsibility to end the power load shedding. “We will shut down the national grid if an uninterrupted power supply is not assured,” he warned.
He directed assembly members to personally go to their respective grid stations to restore power in areas experiencing 12-hour load shedding. Gandapur noted that local WAPDA officials were cooperating with the provincial government, but the federal government had further reduced power supply to the province.
Protests Erupt Against Load Shedding
Protests erupted on the third day of Eidul Azha against rampant electricity load shedding in major cities and towns of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The PTI announced plans to protest in the National Assembly and on the streets against the discriminatory electricity supply to the province.
Enraged citizens staged demonstrations in Peshawar, Nowshera, and Mardan, blocking the Grand Trunk Road and triggering severe traffic jams. PTI leader Asad Qaiser joined a protest in Swabi, criticizing the federal government and announcing plans for further protests.
In Karak, women protesters demonstrated against unannounced power cuts, blocking Shagai Road to traffic.
Unconventional Approaches and Legal Actions
MPA Fazal Elahi stormed the Rehman Baba Grid Station, restoring power to 10 feeders. A video of this unconventional approach went viral on social media. In response, Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) decided to take action against MPA Fazal Elahi, his assistant Jameel, and 45 others for disrupting the power distribution company’s operations.
The SDO for the Rasheed Garhi Subdivision filed a complaint with the Rehman Baba police station, seeking the registration of an FIR against MPA Fazal Elahi and his companions. The FIR cited losses totaling Rs 2.64 million incurred by PESCO due to the incident.
A case was later registered at the Rehman Baba police station for forcibly restoring electricity from the grid station. According to police officials, MPA Fazal Elahi was not named in the FIR, but his assistant Jameel and others were included. The FIR details that approximately 30,000 units were consumed to restore electricity to different areas, costing around Rs 1.32 million. Further investigation is ongoing.
