FAISALABAD: Inflated power bills have pushed the citizens of Pakistan into depression and dismay. An unfortunate incident occurred in Dijikot where a man allegedly shot himself as he failed to pay the electricity bill of Rs40,000.
According to the statement given by his family, the 35-year-old Muhammad Hamza was already facing a financial crisis. He was the father of two minor children, and the exorbitant electricity bill proved to be the last straw. When the situation became unbearable for him, the resident of Sabri Town shot himself. The Dijkot police have said to carry out an investigation to confirm the facts.
The overall situation due to high electricity bills has started to get out of hand across Pakistan. People in different cities have started to organise rallies and protests against the government and authorities.
In Gojra, protestors blocked the M-4 at two points to record their protest against inflated power bills. Gojra Saddar police registered two cases against 158 people under sections 341, 506, 290, 291, 148 and 149 of the Pakistan Penal Code.
Similarly, in Sorgodha, the Sargodha Chamber of Commerce, Industry & District Bar Association and a large number of the general public carried out a joint rally demanding a reverse of power tariff hike. The protestors asked the lawyers to help the consumers file legal suits.
The Anjuman-i-Tajiran of Bahawalpur took out a procession from Trust Colony Chowk to Khatm-i-Nubuwat Chowk. The traders also kept their businesses shut as they observed a strike. The traders in Okara observed a shutdown strike against high rates of electricity. Meanwhile, members of the Dera Ghazi Khan Chamber of Commerce & Industry took out a rally against inflated power bills.
Despite the disturbing situation, the caretaker government seem to be helpless in giving any kind of relief in electricity bills. The federal cabinet has handed over the matter to the energy division and has decided to seek prior permission from the IMF, which can take several days.