SAHIWAL: After the ongoing protests in various cities in which the citizens are displaying anger against the government as well as power distribution companies after the recent hikes in electricity rates, the Multan Electric Power Company (Mepco) has directed its employees to remove the official registration number plates from the company’s vehicles to avoid any possible attacks by the furious public.

The company issued a circular, bearing the signature of Farrukh Javed Ghuman, the director (Transport), instructing the Mepco officers and employees to remove the green official registration number plates from their vehicles and abstain from driving vehicles to public places with official number plates.

“It is to inform all concerned that due to prevailing law & order situation, non-essential vehicles may not be put on roads and green number plates may be removed till normalization of the situation to avoid any untoward incident and damage to govt assets,” says the circular, dated Aug 25.

The reason behind this measure is the apprehension that the public anger against the inflated cost of electricity bills might escalate to the extent of causing damage to Mepco vehicles.

Reliable sources have informed Dawn that Mepco has also formally requested the police authorities in each district to take measures to safeguard its installations.

In Sahiwal, people held a big protest on the DSR Road against inflated electricity bills after the government raised the power cost. A procession of about 300 citizens staged a strong protest against the government and the power company. The agitated mob burnt tires, blocked roads and collectively burnt electricity bills in a public display of anger.

Published in Dawn, August 27th, 2023