Power Outages in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: Businesses and Residents Struggle

In the Battagram district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, residents are facing up to 20 hours of electric load shedding daily, causing frustration and economic hardship. Businesses reliant on electricity, such as woodworks factories and engineering workshops, are severely impacted. Mohammad Saim Khan, a factory owner, and Dawood Khan, an engineer, expressed their struggles with meeting customer demands due to power outages. Sameer Mohammad, a photocopy shop owner, has resorted to using costly generators, affecting his business's profitability.

Ghulam Ali, a local trader, highlighted the plight of laborers losing jobs as businesses falter. Residents are urging the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) and district officials to resolve the issue. Anwar Baig, from Jamaat-i-Islami, stressed the need for utilizing local resources like the Allai Khwar hydropower station to provide electricity.

In Swat, unannounced power cuts have disrupted daily life and businesses. Aisha Bibi, a homemaker, and Sajid Khan, a tailor, shared their difficulties in managing household chores and business operations. Farhan Ali, a computer shop owner, also reported challenges in providing services. Residents demand scheduled load shedding with prior notice to manage their activities better.