Residents of Battagram, Pakistan, took to the streets in anger and frustration to protest against a crackdown on illegal electricity connections and defaulters. The demonstrators gathered near Khatm-i-Nabuwat Chowk and blocked a section of the Karakoram Highway, echoing nationwide concerns over rising electricity bills and theft.
The interim government recently announced its intention to tackle electricity theft due to significant financial losses and consumer burdens. This decision followed public discontent over inflated electricity bills in August.
In Battagram, particularly in areas like Ajmera and Chappargram, residents expressed their dissatisfaction with the local administration, including Deputy Commissioner Tanveerur Rehman and the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA).
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They demanded the immediate transfer of the Deputy Commissioner, accusing him of incompetence and bias. Protesters also called for the restoration of electricity and expressed grievances over disconnections affecting even bill-paying customers with legal connections.
Chappargram Village Council Chairman Shaukat Hayat criticized the sudden electricity suspensions and urged the appointment of a more capable district leader. He warned that if their demands were not met, protesters might target the Allai Khwar Hydropower Project transmission line.
Social and political activist Iqbal Ulasyar accused the Deputy Commissioner of favoritism, hindering a vital micro hydel power project. Khalid Khan Ajmera, affiliated with the Jamaat-i-Islami, claimed that over 20,000 residents had their electricity connections severed, even those who regularly paid their bills.
Advocate Iqbal Khan accused local and Wapda officials of violating privacy norms during crackdowns, asserting that officials entered homes against Pakhtun customs.
Despite attempts to contact Deputy Commissioner Tanveerur Rehman for a response, there has been no comment from his office. Residents’ frustrations have been mounting for some time, with complaints dating back to the aftermath of the 2005 earthquake. They argue that despite promises of waived electricity charges, inflated bills persist. If these grievances remain unaddressed, residents have warned of potential escalation of their protests, possibly targeting government offices in Islamabad.
