PESHAWAR – A large number of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) workers protesting against regular power breakdowns and prolonged loadshedding stormed the Sakhi Chasma grid station on Saturday night and ransacked guard room and boundary wall of the grid station.
The protesters also forcefully restarted the supply of electricity to their areas. After negotiations between the protesters and officials from the police and PESCO, the demonstrators pulled out of the grid station and went home, Geo TV reported.
Earlier on Saturday, for the second day in running, PTI workers led by the party’s MPA from Peshawar, Fazal Elahi, surrounded several grid stations in Peshawar and demanded the resumption of electricity to their areas.
Also on Saturday, PTI workers led by several elected representatives ransacked the WAPDA office in Batkhela, Malakand and damaged furniture and other equipment. They were dispersed after the intervention of law enforcement officials.
In a statement, Water and Power Minister Khwaja Asif condemned the PTI workers’ assault. He claimed the grid stations being attacked are the same areas from where over 70% of electricity is stolen through the use of kundas. He added that residents of these areas also do not pay their bills.
