Prolonged and unannounced electricity load-shedding has severely disrupted normal life across Shangla district, with residents complaining that power outages lasting more than 17 hours a day have left households and businesses struggling to cope. Consumers say they receive electricity for only about 15 minutes after every hour of outage, triggering widespread public frustration and demands for immediate government intervention.
Intensifying Crisis Over the Past Four Days
According to residents, the electricity crisis has intensified over the past four days in Alpurai, the district headquarters, and several other parts of Shangla. Continuous and unscheduled power outages have not only affected domestic consumers but have also dealt a serious blow to businesses that rely heavily on electricity for their daily operations. Shopkeepers and business owners said prolonged interruptions in electricity supply have brought commercial activity to a near standstill, causing them substantial financial losses. They maintained that the worsening power situation has adversely affected trade, small businesses, and other economic activities throughout the district.
Monsoon Rains Worsen Power Supply
The situation further deteriorated on Monday when the onset of the monsoon rains disrupted electricity supply on several feeders. According to local residents, power could not be restored until late at night in many areas. Even after electricity was restored, frequent tripping and technical faults continued to interrupt supply, preventing consumers from receiving uninterrupted electricity.
Contradiction: Power Producer Yet Power-Starved
Expressing deep concern, local residents pointed to what they described as a glaring contradiction. They said Shangla contributes significantly to the national electricity grid through the Khan Khwar Dam Hydropower Project and the Karora Hydropower Project, which together generate more than 85 megawatts of electricity. Despite being a power-producing district, they said, Shangla continues to suffer from one of the worst electricity shortages and the longest periods of load-shedding in the region. Residents argued that it was unjust for a district generating electricity for the national grid to remain deprived of a stable and uninterrupted power supply. They said the ongoing energy crisis has created serious hardships for families, students, traders, and other consumers, particularly during the monsoon season.
Appeals to Federal Minister and Authorities
Public representatives and local residents have appealed to Federal Minister Engineer Amir Muqam and the relevant authorities to take immediate notice of the worsening situation. They demanded an immediate end to unannounced load-shedding in Shangla and called for urgent measures to address deficiencies in the electricity transmission and distribution system. They urged the authorities to permanently station a dedicated maintenance and emergency response team for the transmission line running from the Shangla Grid Station to Alpurai, arguing that such an arrangement would ensure the prompt repair of faults caused by heavy rainfall or other emergencies and help maintain an uninterrupted electricity supply.
Threat of Public Protests
Residents warned that if the prolonged load-shedding, frequent tripping, and repeated power disruptions are not addressed without delay, they will have no option but to launch a public protest campaign. They maintained that responsibility for any resulting demonstrations or public unrest would rest entirely with the concerned authorities and power distribution agencies. The affected residents expressed hope that the government and relevant departments would take immediate practical steps to restore a reliable electricity supply and provide lasting relief to the people of Shangla, who have been enduring prolonged power outages despite the district’s significant contribution to the country’s hydropower generation.
