ISLAMABAD – Protests over high power rates are taking place in major cities and towns across the country, including Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar.
Heavy bills and levies have pushed people to go to the streets following a significant hike in power costs across the country.
Businessmen are protesting against the high cost of power in most of the country’s small and large cities, urging the government to cut the extra tax included in electricity bills and the ever-increasing cost of electricity.
KARACHI
In Karachi, business organizations staged large-scale protests over high power rates and taxes. Protests were conducted in front of the Jama Cloth Market against K-Electric. The business community also joined the rally, as demonstrators waved banners, posters, and placards against K Electric. Protesters chanted anti-K Electric chants.
LAHORE
Citizens protested vehemently in many regions of the province capital, Lahore, against the increase in energy bill costs. Protesters chanted slogans against the high taxes on the bills and requested that the government immediately reduce the power costs.
PESHAWAR
Residents of Gulbahar and neighboring localities demonstrated in Anam Sanam Chowk against the high cost of power and heavy bills. Protesters set fire to power bills, claiming that unexpected loadshedding and exorbitant charges on bills are unbearable.
RAWALPINDI
Citizens protested over high energy rates near Rawalpindi’s Liaquat Bagh. Protesters had power bills in their hands. Protesters declared they would not tolerate an increase in power rates or taxes under any circumstances. The government should repeal the power taxes or else a protest would erupt.
KASUR
Kasur residents were similarly impacted by the high cost of power. During the demonstration, residents burned power bills outside Masjid Noor Chowk, and a huge number of individuals held leaflets against electricity bills and inflation in their hands. Protesters screamed slogans and blocked the route for several hours. They said that power expenses were a financial burden on the poor.
NAROWAL
Citizens in Narowal demonstrated vehemently at the Circular Road over the rise in power costs, yelling anti-government chants. Protesters said that the administration received IMF loans and spent them on the elites.
“We pay taxes for their opulence.” “The rulers should give up their luxuries and provide relief to the people,” they stated.
OKARA
At Dipalpur Chowk, hundreds of people demonstrated against high bills and inflation. Protesters chanted anti-WAPDA and anti-government chants. They said that the government had slapped hundreds of fees on power bills that the poor could not afford. He went on to say that the government had added all types of levies in the measure.
YAR KHAN, RAHIM
Rahim Yar Khan residents also demonstrated against the higher charges on power bills by holding them in their hands. Citizens protested the rise in energy costs by marching from Dua Chowk to Mapco’s office, waving black flags. The demonstration was attended by a huge number of representatives of civic society and students.