MANSEHRA: Residents blocked the Karakoram Highway here on Thursday to traffic for over four hours to protest the prolonged power outages in Ghandian and adjoining areas.

They gathered on the Karakoram Highway and blocked it before setting old tyres on fire in the Ghandian and Hati Mera areas.

The protest inconvenienced highway users, including those travelling between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The demonstrators shouted slogans against the Peshawar Electric Supply Company over its failure to ensure smooth power supply.

Complain of power suspension for 20 hours daily

“We, residents of Gandia and adjoining areas, have been subjected to power suspension for 20 hours daily despite regular payment of bills,” resident Rashid Khan told protesters.

He said Pesco suspended electric supply for the entire day in the name of tree trimming and maintenance.

“We will continue our protest until the prolonged power outages stop,” resident Yasir Khan said.

He said voltage fluctuation damaged home appliances and electronic gadgets.

Mr Khan said the residents took up the issue with the Pesco chief engineer, but to no avail.

The protesters dispersed after the SHO assured them he would take up the issue with the Pesco high-ups for early action.

HELD: The police on Thursday arrested a man in the Oghi area here for allegedly blackmailing officials and businessmen.

The arrest of Mohammad Tariq came on the complaint of a news channel’s correspondent, according to district police officer Shafeeullah Khan Gandapur.

He told reporters that the detainee worked for an inter-provincial gang operating a digital platform from Saudi Arabia and pretended to be a medical doctor to deceive people.

“We have initiated work to bring back the other gang members from abroad,” he said.

Detainee Tariq, who was in attendance, insisted that he was “trapped” by the group.

KILLED: Two people were killed and four suffered critical injuries when a jeep fell into a deep ravine in the Usmankhel Asharay Tanga area of Torghar district on Thursday.

The incident occurred as the driver lost control of the jeep while negotiating a sharp turn.

The vehicle carrying passengers was on the way to Usmankhel Asharay Tanga from Thakot.

The locals shifted the injured to the Judbah civil hospital where doctors pronounced Safia Bibi and Sarfraz Khan dead and referred the injured, Ahsanullah, Mohammad Khan, Tarana Bibi and Hassan Hafeez, to the Ayub Medical Complex Abbottabad. Two of the injured were reported to be in critical condition.

Published in Dawn, July 26th, 2024