SWABI, Feb 24: Thousands of people took to the streets here on Friday against Wapda and Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) over inclusion of fuel charges in electricity bills.

Many were so irate that they set fire to their electricity bills saying they didn't accept the Wapda and Pesco move.

Protesters from different villages and towns of the district converged on Karnal Sher Khan Chowk in groups leading to suspension of traffic on Swabi-Mardan, Swabi-Jahangira and Swabi-Topi roads for around three hours.

Leaders and activists of Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz, Pakistan People's Party-Sherpao, Jamaat-i-Islami, Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam-Fazl, Pakistan Awami Party, Swabi Qaumi Mahaz and Swabi Jamhoori Ittehad joined the protest and assured participants of support and cooperation against inclusion of fuel charges in electricity bills.

Traders also supported protesters by shutting down businesses and participating in the rally.

Speakers said fuel charges in bills were illegal as electricity was produced in the province by local water reservoirs not thermal energy and therefore, they should be withdrawn without delay.

A speaker said people of the province had given thousands of kanal of land for construction of Tarbela and Ghazi Barotha dams but were unjustifiably being forced into paying fuel charges.

He said fuel charges were unacceptable to locals.

During the protest, PTI deputy general secretary Shah Wali Khan tried to set himself on fire along with his electricity bill but people rescued him.

Speakers announced to put up a hunger strike camp at Karnal Sher Chowk until fuel charges were withdrawn.

Also in the day, JI workers blocked Swabi-Mardan Road at Shewa Adda for around an hour against fuel charges.