Battagram:

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa citizens of Battagram resorted to the streets to protest the crackdown on electricity.

The interim administration made plans to tighten down on energy theft last week. As stated by federal ministers, this leads to losses totaling thousands of billions of rupees and greater costs for an ordinary person. The statement came as the administration examined its—although limited—options to console the populace that had been demonstrating in the streets across the nation in response to rising power rates in August.

Ajmera and Chappargram in particular witnessed protests breaking out, with locals first assembling in the town’s main marketplace before proceeding to Khatm-i-Nabuwat Chowk. They conveyed their displeasure and accused the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and Battagram Deputy Commissioner Tanveerur Rehman of wrongdoing.

The residents denounced the crackdown on illicit energy connections and defaulters by taking to the streets with wrath and fury. Protesters gathered next to the Khatm-i-Nabuwat Chowk and blocked down a section of the Karakoram Highway in a display of support for the public outcry against the growing cost of energy and theft.

In addition to asking for the restoration power services, the demonstrators demanded the expulsion of the Deputy Commissioner, alleging that his ineptitude was fueling chaos in the region. Even for those who consistently made contributions and had legal connections, they condemned the decision to cut off energy to the whole union council.

Shaukat Hayat, chairman of the Chappargram Village Council, condemned the sudden interruption of the electricity supply and demanded an election of a district chief with greater experience. He issued a warning that if their demands were not met, protesters will strike the transmission line for the Allai Khwar Hydropower Project.

The collapse of a mini hydel power project in Ajmera was allegedly brought about by the DC favoring a contractor from his home region, according to social and political activist Iqbal Ulasyar. He asserted that attempts to resolve the matter with the DC had been futile.

Over 20,000 individuals, including regular billpayers, had their energy connections cut off during the operation, according to Khalid Khan Ajmera, a member of the Jamaat-i-Islami.