Protest in Nowshera Turns Violent Over Power Outages

Residents of Nowshera district recently took to the streets to protest against the persistent power outages plaguing their area. The protest, which lasted for hours, resulted in a tragic incident and escalated into a chaotic situation.

The demonstration, held near Rashakai Interchange, was triggered by power cuts lasting up to 22 hours. The protesters, facing scorching temperatures of 44 degrees Celsius, demanded a written commitment from Pesco officials to end the unscheduled outages.

Unfortunately, amidst the protest, a child lost their life due to an electric shock. The delay in providing medical assistance, caused by the road closure during the demonstration, added to the tragedy.

Initial discussions involving authorities, police, and community leaders showed promise. However, some protesters refused to adhere to the agreements made, leading to a standstill.

Law enforcement was compelled to intervene, using batons, tear gas, and aerial firing to disperse the crowd. The situation took a violent turn as protesters retaliated by throwing stones and firing shots, resulting in chaos.

Police managed to confiscate a pistol from one of the protesters and initiated legal action against over a hundred individuals. A crackdown was launched to apprehend those responsible for the unrest.

SHO Kashif Khan of Rashakai Police Station highlighted that the root cause of the unrest was the prolonged power outages experienced by the residents.

The protest in Nowshera district, initially aimed at addressing power outages, tragically spiraled into a violent confrontation. The loss of a young life and the subsequent clashes serve as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by communities in demanding their basic rights. It underscores the importance of peaceful dialogue and adherence to agreements to prevent such unfortunate incidents in the future.