IESCO Seeks Police Aid Amid Protests Over High Bills

LESCO, a power company, asked the police for protection as people in Rawalpindi protested high IESCO bills. Protesters gathered with bills and signs at Committee Chowk and walked on Murree Road, causing traffic problems. Police were there to prevent issues. The protest ended peacefully at Rawalpindi Press Club. Iesco worried about damage, asked police to guard its offices.

RAWALPINDI Protests:

On Friday, Iesco took steps to protect its staff and things by asking the police for help. They were worried about how people in different parts of the city might react because they were angry about the high electricity bills.

People gathered at Committee Chowk with their electricity bills, signs, and posters asking for the bills to be lowered. They walked on Murree Road and made traffic slow. The police were there too, making sure everything stayed peaceful.

When they got to the Rawalpindi Press Club, the people left quietly.

Because they were afraid of how people might react, Iesco asked the police to be at their offices. They wanted to avoid any problems.

In a letter to the City Police Officer, the head engineer said that groups of people were coming to Iesco offices to protest about the high bills. The workers at Iesco felt worried about their safety. The head engineer said the situation was serious and might cause trouble. They were afraid the people might damage things if things didn’t get better.

Islamabad Protests

In Islamabad, many residents showed their unhappiness about higher electricity bills by protesting. In places like Koral, Khanna, and Iqbal Town, around 250 people came together with signs and bills on the main road called Islamabad Expressway. This caused a traffic jam, causing trouble for commuters. Thankfully, the protesters left without any problems later.

Similarly, more than 100 residents in Koral and Iqbal Town blocked roads because of the high electricity bills. They shouted and wanted the bills to be lower. They said that the high bills and rising prices were making their lives tough. Luckily, the protest ended calmly.

Iesco’s spokesperson, Raja Asim, explained that the company always thinks about what customers need. Their employees work hard to make sure people have electricity, even during tough times like cold weather, hot weather, and emergencies.

He mentioned that Iesco asks its customers to remember that they provide electricity and services. The employees are also a part of this effort. Damaging offices or other places is like hurting the country. So, they should avoid joining any protest that hurts government things or employees.

Iesco’s leader, Dr. Mohammad Amjad Khan, told all offices to help customers by letting them pay bills in smaller parts. If customers have questions about bills, they can contact specific offices. If someone can’t pay their bill all at once, they can pay in smaller amounts at Iesco offices. “We help the public, but they should avoid violent protests,” the spokesperson said. He also mentioned that hot weather can make bills higher because people use more electricity.

When asked if they asked the police to keep things calm during protests, he said they asked the local leaders to send police to Iesco offices because they heard people might protest. Thankfully, there were no problems in Rawalpindi on Friday.

Taxila Protests:

People in Attock were so upset about high electricity bills that they blocked main roads. They even tried to go into the deputy commissioner’s office to show their anger. Similar protests happened in Taxila, Wah, and Pindigheb.

Protesters, led by community representatives, made a strong demonstration at Kutchery Chowk and Railway Bridge. They stopped traffic for hours on the city’s main roads and then went to the deputy commissioner’s office to protest.

With signs and banners, they shouted things against Iesco and the past government. They were unhappy about increased electricity prices and many taxes on consumers. In Pindigheb, people burned their bills and blocked a road.

Shop owners, traders, and community members in Wah Cantonment protested too. They carried signs saying the bills were too high for traders and salaried workers.

Protests in AJK:

Traders from Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) met and decided to keep protesting until the government met their demands, especially about high electricity charges.

They gathered in Rawalakot with around 50 participants from different parts of Muzaffarabad, Mirpur, and Poonch divisions.

Earlier, a lot of bills were burned during a big protest in Rawalakot. Shaukat Nawaz Mir, a leader from Muzaffarabad, said they would have a strike on August 31. The other divisions were still deciding on their plans.

The AJK government said they would hold off on increasing power charges and formed a committee to find a solution. But the traders in Rawalakot didn’t agree and thought it was just a way to delay the protests.