Hundreds of residents, traders, and community elders staged a strong protest in Ghalanai, the headquarters of Mohmand District, against a continuous 48-hour power outage that has severely disrupted daily life across the town and its surrounding areas. The demonstrators blocked the main Peshawar–Bajaur Highway, bringing traffic to a complete standstill and leaving long queues of vehicles stranded on both sides of the road.
Protest Leaders and Participants
The protest was attended by Pakistan Peoples Party leader Fazal Hadi, Jamaat-e-Islami leader Khandan Khan, Ghalanai Bazaar Headquarters President Haji Gulab Khan, Shakirullah Khan, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam leader Qari Sajid Khan, Bilal Khan, Qari Waheedullah, Ihsanullah, Rohail Khan, along with a large number of political figures, social activists, traders, and local residents.
Impact of Power Outage on Daily Life
Addressing the gathering, protest leaders said the prolonged electricity outage during the ongoing heatwave had brought normal life to a standstill. They said the lack of electricity had disrupted the water supply, leaving residents without access to drinking water, while businesses had suffered significant financial losses. The speakers added that mosques were also facing serious difficulties due to the unavailability of water for ablution, causing inconvenience to worshippers. They criticized WAPDA for failing to respond despite repeated complaints and appeals from the public.
Demands and Warnings
The protesters demanded immediate restoration of electricity and warned that if the prolonged outages continued, they would expand their protest movement. They cautioned that if WAPDA officials failed to address the issue without delay, the people of Ghalanai and nearby areas would have no option but to march on the local grid station. They said that any consequences arising from such action would be the responsibility of WAPDA’s senior officials.
Highway Reopening and Negotiations
The highway remained closed for several hours before being reopened following successful negotiations. DSP Ghalanai Khalid Khan and SHO Ghalanai Murad Khan assured the protesters that their grievances would be conveyed to the relevant authorities.
Meeting with Assistant Commissioner
Later, a delegation of protesters met Assistant Commissioner Upper Mohmand Sikandar Afzaal, who convened a meeting with WAPDA officials and highlighted the hardships being faced by residents—particularly children, elderly people, and patients—due to the prolonged power outage during the intense summer heat. The Assistant Commissioner assured the delegation that the district administration would formally take up the matter with WAPDA, seeking an improvement in electricity supply and recommending a reduction in load-shedding to provide immediate relief to the public. He reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to resolving public issues and ensuring that every possible effort would be made to address the electricity crisis.
