Federal Minister for Energy, Owais Leghari, has urgently sought the assistance of Federal Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi in managing protests led by provincial assembly members at grid stations throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
In a formal communication, Leghari expressed deep concern over the failure of local police to register cases related to these incidents.
The protests, reportedly instigated by responsible individuals, have severely disrupted operations at grid stations in various KP districts including Mardan, Charsadda, Tank, Bannu, and Peshawar. The catalyst for these demonstrations has been cited as prolonged power outages, exacerbating public frustration.
Accompanying his letter, Leghari included a detailed report from the Chief Executive Officer of Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) outlining the extensive disruptions caused by these protests. He underscored that provincial assembly members and others unlawfully intervened with grid station operations, compelling staff to restore electricity. This unauthorized action not only worsened line losses but also heightened concerns over electricity theft and compromised security at the stations.
Emphasizing the gravity of the situation, Leghari stressed the immediate need for enhanced security measures at grid stations to safeguard personnel and infrastructure. He urged strict enforcement actions against unauthorized individuals attempting to forcibly access and manipulate operations at these critical facilities.
Furthermore, Leghari called for prompt legal actions to be taken against those responsible for disrupting operations and threatening the security of grid stations in KP. His appeal to Minister Naqvi underscores the federal government’s commitment to ensuring public safety and restoring order amidst the ongoing energy crisis in the province.
In response to these developments, Minister Naqvi and KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur convened discussions to address the broader issues of load shedding and security concerns at federal facilities.
Both leaders affirmed their commitment to resolving misunderstandings through dialogue and agreed to collaborate closely over the coming days to mitigate the effects of the crisis on the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
