CM KP Ali Amin Gandapur says if the issue of unbridled power outages persisted he would be forced to take steps to halt electricity supply

PESHAWAR/DERA ISMAIL KHAN, June 19 (SABAH): Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur has slammed the federal government for the rampant electricity load shedding in the province after protests erupted in major cities and towns on the third day of Eidul Azha amid ongoing heatwave.

In a statement, the chief minister came down hard on the ruling PML-N, warning that if the issue of the unbridled power outages persisted he would be forced to take steps to halt electricity supply.

Ali Amin Gandapur also accused the Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) of unfair treatment towards Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. He also insisted that no WAPDA assets were damaged.

The chief minister called upon all KP parliamentarians to convene at WAPDA grids to ensure uninterrupted electricity restoration [for their constituencies].

Asserting the province’s rights, Ali Amin Gandapur reiterated that “money was collected in our province’s name but not returned. No obstacles will deter us from claiming what rightfully belongs to us”.

The chief minister issued a final ultimatum to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, demanding the immediate release of Rs16 billion owed to the province by the federal government. He threatened to approach the IMF if the funds were not disbursed promptly.

“These people have assumed power through illegitimate means. I understand how they came into office and how to remove them,” Gandapur added.

In another statement earlier in the day, Gandapur alleged that the federal government was exacting revenge from the people of the province.

The CM stated that the province was experiencing the worst power shutdowns, adding that the federal government had not fulfilled its commitment to provide the required electricity to the province.

Gandapur mentioned that local WAPDA officials were cooperating with the provincial government to the best of their capacity, but it was the federal government that had further reduced power supply to the province.

“There will be another round of talks with the federation to discuss power load shedding. The provincial government is fully cooperating with Wapda on the issue of line losses,” Gandapur said.

The chief minister urged the federal government to correct its attitude towards Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, warning that otherwise, the people of the province would take to the streets to protest.

He added that the federation’s failure to fulfill its commitments was leading to mounting complaints about increasing power outages.

Meanwhile Ali Amin Gandapur restored the power supply after entering a grid station in Dera Ismail Khan on Wednesday and issued his own load shedding schedule limited to 12 hours per day.

A statement posted on the KP government’s X account said no area would suffer power outages for more than 12 hours now. The chief minister also directed all lawmakers to visit grid stations in their respective areas and ensure the implementation of the 12-hour load shedding schedule.

Talking to a private TV channel, KP government spokesperson Barrister Mohammad Ali Saif gave his stance on incidents of forced entry into grid stations to restore the power supply and said it basically amounted to “the nation’s frustration and anger”.

He added: “The level of tolerance has been crossed so that is why the people are taking steps to enter grid stations and forcibly restore power.

“This is what happens when the institutions and the government do not listen to the people’s demands nor take any sincere action to fulfil them which is when the people take matters into their own hands which I don’t think is a positive or good step since the law is taken into own hands, there are legal violations and other unpleasant incidents occur so it is our final effort that such issues are not born and whatever issues are [present] of electricity, supply, heat and loadshedding are solved in a better way.”

Saif said the provincial government could try to control the people to not take matters into their own hands but questioned how long could it do that. He said the fundamental responsibility in the matter belonged to the federal government.

Earlier, he criticised the government in a post on X for not ensuring the elimination of loadshedding on Eidul Azha’s third day.

“Offices, factories [and] markets are closed [and] still the illegal loadshedding continues. The patience of the people of KP has been exhausted,” he said.

Addressing a press conference earlier on Wednesday, CM KP Ali Amin Gandapur complained that the dues and revenues of the provincial government amounting to around Rs1,600 billion were not being given to it by the federal government.

He said the federal government had asked for some time to review the power system and requested the provincial government’s support in the endeavour.

However, CM Gandapur said the timeline given to the Centre was up and he had attempted to contact Energy Minister Awais Leghari but received no response.

“This means you (the people) and we are free,” he said. Outlining his policy for future action, the chief minister urged everyone to follow it to the letter and propagate it as well.

“No one has to damage any WAPDA asset because it is our asset and made with our tax money.”

The chief minister announced that there would be no load shedding beyond 12 hours at any feeder and lawmakers would have to ensure this and monitor this by personally overseeing the matter.

Addressing the police, Gandapur said he had informed the KP police chief that the police would register no case against anyone on WAPDA’s request.

“This is KP’s police. It is not bound to WAPDA. WAPDA is committing injustice, we are not getting our right and at the same time there is unfairness with us so you have to move forward with what is just.

“Imran Khan has made me the chief minister of your province, I’m the chief executive and you have to follow those instructions that I’m telling.”

To the administration, he said that it would also have to follow his instructions and said personnel would have to be present with lawmakers in overseeing grid stations and ensuring no fault and no load shedding beyond 12 hours.

He said it was the federal government’s responsibility to solve all the above issues but it was not fulfilling it thus criticism for it was warranted.

The KP CM said his next step would be to curtail the national power supply from the province.

“I am also coming to Islamabad. Don’t think that I am saying all this only from my province. I will say all this in Islamabad too.”

Addressing Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, Gandapur said the premier had called him and told him about the province’s support to secure a deal with the International Monetary Fund.

“I first want my province’s money, otherwise, I will clearly tell the IMF that they take money in our name, tax our people.”

He “warned” PM Shehbaz that the premier was “forcing [us] to shove your government aside” because of his behaviour and actions.

“I know about your capacity, situation and how you are in power and how to remove you. I will take all these actions step by step and then you will not be able to bear it and you will scream and then even those who brought you [to power] will not be able to save you because even they have screamed while standing beside you because they are being criticised more.”

He alleged that the federal government had not fulfilled its word and would now have to suffer for it.

Protests erupted on the third day of Eidul Azha against rampant electricity load shedding in major cities and towns of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with the PTI announcing plans to protest in the National Assembly and on the streets against the discriminatory electricity supply to the province.

Enraged citizens staged demonstrations in Peshawar, Nowshera and Mardan, where the Grand Trunk Road was blocked, triggering severe traffic jams.

Irate protesters raised slogans against unannounced power outages during Eid, causing problems for motorists and pedestrians alike. Several ambulances were seen stuck in traffic gridlocks.

Former KP chief minister Pervez Khattak’s car was also caught in a traffic snarl. Khattak urged protesters to exercise restraint.

Meanwhile, PTI leader Asad Qaiser joined a protest against power load shedding in Swabi. He criticised the federal government and announced plans to protest in the National Assembly and on the streets against the discriminatory electricity supply to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

In Karak, women protesters demonstrated against unannounced power cuts, blocking Shagai Road to traffic.

In a related development, MPA Fazal Elahi stormed the Rehman Baba Grid Station, restoring power to 10 feeders. A video of this unconventional approach to power restoration went viral on social media.

In response, the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) decided to take action against MPA Fazal Elahi, his assistant Jameel and 45 others for disrupting the power distribution company’s operations.

The SDO for the Rasheed Garhi Subdivision wrote a complaint to the Rehman Baba police station, seeking the registration of an FIR against MPA Fazal Elahi and his companions, citing losses totalling Rs 2.64 million incurred by PESCO due to the incident.

Later in the day, a case was registered at the Rehman Baba police station for forcibly restoring electricity from the grid station.

According to police officials, MPA Fazal Elahi has not been named in the FIR, but his assistant Jameel and others have been included.

On the complaint from PESCO, five sections have been added to the FIR which details that approximately 30,000 units were consumed to restore electricity to different areas, costing approximately Rs 1.32 million. Further investigation is in progress.