Numerous Khyber Pakhtunkhwa locations have seen widespread protests as locals voice their outrage at skyrocketing electricity costs and unrelenting inflation. People from various backgrounds joined the civil society in Mingora and the Pakhtunkhwa Milli Awami Party in Matta as they took to the streets.
Holding electricity bills and united in their annoyance, protesters blamed the government, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and WAPDA (a catch-all term for all electricity supply companies) for their growing misery. The demonstrators criticised the recent tariff increases while calling for relief from inflation. Protesters set their electricity bills ablaze, a stark representation of their refusal to bear the weight of exorbitant charges.
Even the Mardan neighbourhood was not immune to the growing unrest. Protests by locals in the Gulibagh neighbourhood temporarily stopped traffic on Shamsi Road. With electricity bills in hand, the crowd raged against unfair billing and demanded transparency in their statement of charges. Their anger could be felt as they charged the government and WAPDA with taking advantage of their financial precariousness.
Mayor Himayatullah Mayar met with senior WAPDA officials to discuss the deteriorating situation in the face of growing public outrage. The demonstrators’ resolve, though, remained unwavering. A traditional gathering of tribal leaders known as a jirga took a staunch stance against the unfair bills in the Mansehra district. The jirga declared that in protest, traders would observe a complete shutdown and that people would refuse to pay the inflated bills. A committee was established to spread this movement throughout different districts.
As a result of rampant inflation, residents of the area are demanding fair treatment and economic relief, which is reflected in the growing movement. The challenge for the authorities is to contain public unrest while addressing the legitimate concerns that have brought the populace to the streets as the protests gain momentum.
