Residents of Battagram in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa protested by blocking a section of the Karakoram Highway near Khatm-i-Nabuwat Chowk. They were demonstrating against the crackdown on illegal electricity connections and electricity theft, as well as defaulters, following the government’s recent announcement to tackle electricity theft, which has led to significant financial losses and higher bills for the public.
Protests erupted in various parts of Battagram, particularly in Ajmera and Chappargram, with residents initially gathering in the town’s main bazaar before moving to Khatm-i-Nabuwat Chowk. They voiced their opposition to Battagram Deputy Commissioner Tanveerur Rehman and the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), accusing them of wrongdoing.
The protesters demanded the removal of the Deputy Commissioner, claiming his incompetence was causing disorder in the district, and called for the restoration of electricity services. They criticized the disconnection of electricity to the entire union council, even for those who regularly paid their bills and had legal connections.
Chappargram Village Council Chairman Shaukat Hayat criticized the DC for making biased decisions in favor of influential individuals in the district. He urged the appointment of a more capable district administrator and warned of potential actions against the Allai Khwar Hydropower Project transmission line if their demands were not met.
Social and political activist Iqbal Ulasyar accused the DC of favoring a contractor from his native village, leading to the non-functionality of a micro hydel power project in Ajmera. He claimed that efforts to address the issue with the DC had been unsuccessful.
Khalid Khan Ajmera, associated with the Jamaat-i-Islami, alleged that over 20,000 people had their electricity connections severed during the crackdown, including regular billpayers.
Advocate Iqbal Khan accused local and Wapda officials of violating privacy during actions against illegal connections, alleging that officials entered homes against cultural norms, violating the dignity of women.
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