Countrywide protests against load-shedding, inflated bills

LAHORE: The continuous power outages and inflated bills have triggered protests across the country on Thursday.

In Lahore, traders staged protest rally on Mall Road against prolonged load-shedding and power tariff hike. The protestors were carrying placards and banners printed with slogans against load-shedding and over-billing.

Enraged protestors chanted slogans against the Wapda and burnt electricity bills on Mall Road after staging a sit-in.

Meanwhile, people protested against the frequent power cuts in Kor Gothri area of Peshawar. Meanwhile, prolonged power outages prompted the residents of Kor Gothri to take to streets. They complained about the grave hardships faced by the local residents due to excessive load shedding. The protestors burnt the electricity bills as well.

Citizens, business community and lawyers took out a rally from Sadiqabad Chowk to DCO office in protest against the ongoing power crisis in Rahimyar Khan. They chanted anti-government slogans.

Speaking on this occasion, President of trade bodies, Mian Abdul Khaliq said that they would not pay the electricity bills and announce to get a stay order from the court in this regard. He further announced that a shutter down strike would be observed on Saturday.

The trade unions of twin cities have announced that traders will not pay inflated bills until unless government sends the revised bills by November 5 while restoring the old power tariff.