Residents of Gilgit-Baltistan Protest Against Power Outages
Residents of Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) are voicing their anger over unannounced power outages that have left them struggling over the past few weeks. The protesters, fed up with the government’s inaction, blocked roads in parts of Gilgit City, demanding immediate and effective solutions to the persistent electricity crisis.
One resident of Gilgit City expressed his anger, stating, “People are suffering in this scorching heat, and the authorities are only providing 16 to 18 megawatts of electricity. Corruption among consultants, institutions, politicians, and engineers has led to this inadequate supply. Our consumption is rising, but the input is decreasing.” He further criticized the government for failing to address the worsening situation and called for urgent accountability measures.
“The government should summon the Chief Engineer and Secretary of the relevant institutions and ask them how much grant they need. If they say 10 or 15 crores, then they should be asked how much electricity they can provide with that grant. We also urge the government to install turbines in our rivers, which could generate the needed electricity. In Kashmir, every neighborhood has its own turbine,” he added.
Another resident highlighted the impact of the erratic power supply on daily life, especially over the past 10-15 days. “We understand that there’s a power shortfall in Gilgit-Baltistan, but when the government provides a schedule, people plan their day accordingly. The inconsistent supply disrupts our routines and makes it difficult to cope.”
The protest is the latest in a series of demonstrations in recent months, as residents continue to suffer from chronic energy shortages. Despite repeated appeals and protests, the local administration has taken no significant steps to resolve the issue, leaving the population in a state of frustration and despair. This ongoing crisis raises serious concerns about the government’s commitment to ensuring the well-being of its remote populations, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable solutions to Gilgit-Baltistan’s energy problems.
Doubts Revealed
Gilgit-Baltistan -: Gilgit-Baltistan is a region in the northern part of Pakistan. It is known for its beautiful mountains and valleys.
Power Outages -: Power outages mean that the electricity goes off unexpectedly. This can cause problems because people need electricity for lights, fans, and other important things.
Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan (PoGB) -: This means that Gilgit-Baltistan is controlled by Pakistan. Some people call it ‘occupied’ because there are different opinions about who should control the area.
Corruption -: Corruption is when people in power do dishonest things for their own benefit, like taking money that should be used to help everyone.
Accountability -: Accountability means that people in charge have to explain their actions and take responsibility if they do something wrong.
Turbines -: Turbines are machines that can turn the energy from moving water, wind, or steam into electricity. They are often used in power plants.
Sustainable energy solutions -: Sustainable energy solutions are ways to make electricity that do not harm the environment and can be used for a long time, like using water, wind, or sunlight.