ISLAMABAD: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) lawmakers' protest against power outages on Tuesday came to an end after talks with Federal Defence Minister Khawaja Asif who assured the KP government that water, electricity and other issues will be resolved on priority basis.
KP assembly members, Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) senators, parliamentarians and representatives from various political parties in KP gathered outside Parliament House in the federal capital on to stage their protest against load-shedding and the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor route (PCEC). The protesters maintained that KP is being deprived of its legitimate rights.
Awami National Party’s (ANP) Ilyas Bilour, Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) member of KP assembly Nighat Orakzai, Qaumi Watan Party’s (QWP) Aftab Sherpao’s son Sikander Sherpao and Jamaat-i-Islami's (JI) Sirajul Haq were also present outside Parliament House.
Meanwhile, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif held a meeting with KP Chief Minister Pervez Khattak and representatives from various parties during which they discussed power outages, Pakistan-China Economic Corridor, and issues regarding net hydel power.
Speaking to media representatives outside Parliament House after the meeting, the KP chief minister said that another meeting will be held on Friday to further discuss issues relating to Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda).
"We have committed to sit together and solve all issues," said Khattak after the meeting.
Khawaja Asif also added that the main issues have been solved and the remaining problems will be solved this week.
"I will get time from the finance minister to hold a meeting in which all issues pertaining to KP's power shortages will be solved," Asif said. "When it comes to issues regarding the PCEC, Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has called a meeting tomorrow for parliamentary leaders to come to a solution."
He clarified that the PCEC will pass through KP on its original route and will be beneficial for the people of that area.
Asif also reiterated that a meeting will be held on Friday to solve electricity and hydel power issues.
"Marching here under the leadership of Pervez Khattak is a democratic right and we appreciate the opportunity to hold talks with Khawaja Asif," said JI leader Serajul Haq. "We are certain that there will be a reduction in power outages in KP before Ramadan," he added.
Speaking to media representatives outside Parliament House earlier today, Pervez Khattak said that Wapda is responsible for electricity shortages in the province.
"Today we are standing together...we don’t believe in load-shedding in this province [KP]. If there is load-shedding or [electricity] theft anywhere, it is Wapda’s responsibility," said Khattak. "Wapda steals [electricity] and the thieves are in Wapda."
"They [Wapda] must fix their people and our province’s entire parliament and police force stands with them, they should catch the thieves and not put the blame on anyone." he added.
They also recorded their protest against the route of the Pakistan-China Economic Corridor (PCEC). "The route is from Kashgar to Gawadar. According to our information, the route will only pass through Hazara and most of it will be in Punjab," said Khattak. "The route should pass through our province, through DI Khan as it is 600KM short."
The KP representatives presented a charter which mentions their reservations regarding changes in the PCEC route, loadshedding and KP being set aside from mega projects. The chief minister also said that the protest will continue until a government representative provides assurances to the protesters regarding their demands.
