SHANGLA: The 72MW Khan Khwar hydropower project has been restored after remaining closed for a year due to a technical fault in its power house, Dawn learnt on Friday.

The power project located in Bisham tehsil of Shangla district was completed in 2012 and was closed in December 2014 due to a technical fault in the project’s power house.

Sources said a Chinese company, Dang Pang, replaced the machinery in the power house, adding closure of the project incurred billions of rupees loss on Wapda.

They said a four megawatt unit was constructed as part of the project to provide electricity to the local people, but it remained closed due to a technical fault.

Residents of Bisham told Dawn that though the power station had been restored, they were still suffering low voltage of electricity. They demanded of the government to repair the 4MW unit of the project to provide them electricity from it.

PML-N RALLY: A car rally was organised by PML-N workers on Friday led by district nazim Niaz Ahmed.

Later, speaking to the workers, Mr Ahmed claimed that more than 600 vehicles, including cars, buses and pickups taking thousands of workers from across the district reached Swat to attend a meeting addressed by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

Meanwhile, PTI local leaders and workers held at meeting to discuss arrangements for party’s meeting in Swat today (Saturday), which will be addressed by Imran Khan. PTI Shangla spokesman Engr Abdul Tawb chaired the meeting.

Published in Dawn, May 21st, 2016