Power protests turn violent in Chichawatni and Faisalabad

CHICHAWATNI/FAISALABAD: Frustrated with the persistent loadshedding, enraged residents torched the city police station gate and several police motorcycles in Chicawatni.

Protests also took a violent turn in Faisalabad, when residents furious over continuous loadshedding for twenty hours burnt tyres, blocked the roads and voiced slogans against the authorities.

Police resorted to baton charge and heavy tear gas shelling to disperse the protestors; however this sparked a clash as protestors in retaliation pelted stones.

The excessive use of force by the police turned the peaceful demonstration into an angry mob that looted a beverages truck as well.

Protests also took place in several other cities of Punjab including Lahore.

The electricity shortfall in the country has risen to 8,500 MW and according to DG PEPCO, the supply of oil and gas is inadequate. The DG PEPCO adds that the responsibility of the power shortfall also rests with the Ministries of Petroleum and Finance.