Wapda Bill Distributors Shun Door-to-Door Visits Amidst Concerns

As nationwide demonstrations against soaring electricity bills persist, employees of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) are exercising caution, refraining from conducting in-person visits for bill distribution, as reported by ZRM News on Thursday.

In the city of Jhelum, a Wapda worker chose to leave electricity bills at a nearby hotel rather than risk potential backlash from consumers who have been grappling with rising costs due to inflation. This precautionary measure comes in the wake of widespread protests across the country in response to substantial hikes in power tariffs.

Meanwhile, the Gujranwala Traffic Police, cognizant of the public’s frustration over electricity bills, have adopted a strategy of not imposing fines on motorcyclists, aiming to appease the aggrieved citizens.

Earlier this week, a group of angered shopkeepers in Karachi’s Timber Market area resorted to holding K-Electric vehicles and their personnel hostage after an attempt was made to disconnect electricity in the locality.

Sharjeel Goplani, Chairman of the Pakistan Timber Traders Association (PTTA), recounted that a K-Electric team sought to terminate power supply to multiple shops in the area, which escalated into a confrontation.

As the frustration among already financially burdened consumers escalates due to soaring bills and the government’s explanations citing the constraints of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) agreement, public discontent is growing, leading to instances of violence.

The Awami National Party (ANP) spearheaded a rally in Peshawar, threatening to initiate a “paiya jam” [wheel jam] strike in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Concurrently, protestors expressed their anguish over the necessity of taking loans to cover the exorbitant bills. In Rajanpur, business owners staged a protest by displaying electricity bills, meters, and bread.

Demonstrations also unfolded in Gujarat, Bahawalnagar, Mian Chanu, Hafizabad, and Tando Allahyar. Citizens in these locations symbolically burnt their electricity bills while voicing demands for the withdrawal of additional taxes and the reduction of high tariffs.