By Shehzad Khan
MINGORA: Members of the local government in Swat district do not seem to be on the same page in the case of power outages that have pushed agitated locals to the roads for protest.
The member of a tehsil council in Swat, Khalid Mehmood, lashed out at the Swat district administration on Sundayduring a protest. He said although they protested in front of Malakand Commissioner’s house against prolonged power outages, no one from the district government went to talk to them.
“It is a matter of embarrassment for both, the federal and provincial governments, for doing nothing regarding the issue of severe power outages in the district,” he said. “Load-shedding has completely paralysed the daily life while officials of Water and Power Development Authority, have turned a blind eye to the people.”
he added the rude and non-cooperative behaviour of both the governments is forcing the people of Swat to go towards civil dis-obedience.
A member of Swat district council, Amirzeb Sheheryar, told MP the people of Swat submit their electricity bills on time and there is also no electricity theft like it is in other parts of the country. “People of Swat are faced with hours long load-shedding, despite [fulfilling their duties].”
A social activist, Neelam Ibrar, also addressed the protesters. “The federal government has completely sidelined Swat district, which has many scenic valleys and can contribute to the ailing tourism department of the country,” she said. “The federal government should immediately free Swat from power outages like Murree is, so that the country’s tourism economy is brought back on track.”
The angry protestors dispersed after blocking the main road leading to Saidu Sharif for three hours.
