Chitral residents want electricity supply agreement implemented

CHITRAL: The local elders from Reshun, Torkhow and Morkhow valleys in Mastuj tehsil on Saturday expressed concern over the soaring electricity bills and the non-implementation of an agreement between the locals and the power distribution company.

The community elders from Reshun, Tehsil Mastuj, Torkhow and Morkhow attended the meeting which was held at a hotel in Booni, the headquarters of Upper Chitral district. The meeting was aimed at clarifying misunderstandings surrounding the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization and Peshawar Electric Supply Company and to address public concerns related to electricity supply and billing.

Notable elders, village council nazims, former councillors, and other prominent figures were present.

The speakers supported the struggle of Reshun residents against what they termed illegal increases in electricity bills over the past two years. The efforts of the local community were widely appreciated. Participants stressed that the agreement reached two years ago under the leadership of Shahzada Iftikharuddin was a significant step towards resolving Chitral’s electricity crisis. However, they lamented that the agreement was never fully implemented.

Addressing the current crisis, elders noted that in areas where Pedo supplied electricity, billing should be conducted exclusively by Pedo. Similarly, in areas where Pesco provided electricity, the agreed terms from the 2022 pact should be fully enforced.

The meeting unanimously passed a resolution outlining the following demands: In regions where Pedo supplied electricity, only Pedo should be responsible for billing. The terms under which Pesco provided electricity must be implemented in full. The electricity tariff applied in Lower Chitral should also be extended to Upper Chitral. The outdated transmission lines in Upper Chitral must be upgraded. A grid station should be established in Upper Chitral as per the original agreement.