Violent protests erupted in several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Friday over prolonged load shedding conducted despite claims made by the federal government that no power cuts would take place during critical timings in the Holy month of Ramazan.
Power outages during Sehr timings were also reported from other cities across the country including Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Bahawalpur, Gujranwala, Kasur, Sheikhupira, Sahiwal and Okara.
Up to 20-hours long power cuts were reported in Peshawar, Charsasda, Mardan, Swabi, Kohat, Dera Ismail Khan, Karak and Dir districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa prompting violent protesters to take to the streets.
A grid station was torched by a mob in Charsadda district while district administration offices were set alight in Swabi. Clashes between police and protesters were also reported in several areas.
Earlier Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, during meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy, had directed authorities to ensure hassle-free power supply during ‘Sehr’ and ‘Iftar’ in the Holy month of Ramazan.
Federal Minister of Water and Power Khawaja Muhammad Asif had also assured the nation of uninterrupted power supply during critical times throughout the Ramadan. (Dawn)
