by Gul Nayab Shah
Protesters end sit-in at Yasin on Monday after negotiations with the district administration.
High officials from the Ghizer District administration, water and power department and police assured uninterrupted and high voltage power supply to the people and steps for ending loadshedding in Yasin.
The representatives met district administration officials, including the deputy commissioner, power department executive engineer and superintendent of police and discussed the issue.
The residents of Yasin Tehsil on Sunday staged a protest and sit-in outside the power utility offices against frequent and prolonged power outages and unequal distribution of electricity in the region.
The protesters alleged discrimination and unequal power supply to their valley by the power authorities despite having three major power houses at Nazbar, Thoi and Selehrang in the valley.
They claimed Yasin is being deprived of its due share in electricity despite the fact that it produces surplus electricity.
They asked the authorities to fulfil their demands.
Talking to the High Asia Herald, political activist Advocate Karim Shah said that they were demanding an end to loadshedding and provision of electricity with equal voltage across Yasin.
According to Mr Karim, the demands of residents of Yasin must be met first and surplus power generated by its three power stations be supplied to other places. “Whenever there are protests, the power department staff swings into action against power pilferers and violators but most of the time they do not perform their duties.
Yasin Youth Forum President Shah Rahim asked the relevant authorities to increase the voltage of power being supplied to Yasin. He said currently the voltage was not even capable of charging of cellphone which frustrates them.
Gilgit-Baltistan Legislative Assembly member of the opposition PTI Raja Jahanzaib along with former GB assembly member Muhammad Ayub Shah of PPP also joined the protest.