LANDIKOTAL: Jamaat-e-Islami on Sunday condemned the disconnection of electricity to the District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital in Landikotal, warning to launch street protests if the issue was not resolved within a week.
Addressing a press conference at the District Press Club in Landikotal, Jamaat-e-Islami Landikotal head Murad Hussain Afridi and other leaders expressed grave concern over the prolonged power outage at the hospital for the past seven days.
He alleged that despite court orders, Tribal Electricity Supply Company (Tesco) officials at the Landikotal grid station have failed to restore electricity to the hospital, calling the move not only unjust but also tantamount to contempt of court.
He termed the situation a clear sign of government incompetence. He criticised the authorities for remaining silent spectators over a critical public issue.
Murad Afridi warned that if electricity was not restored within a week, Jamaat-e-Islami Landikotal would launch a protest movement and take to the streets, continuing demonstrations until the problem was resolved.
About the condition of the Pak-Afghan Highway, he said that every spell of rain and flash flooding results in loss of precious lives and severe disruption of traffic. He criticised the government for failing to take serious measures, such as constructing bridges, to prevent such tragedies, adding that commuters continue to face immense hardships.
The JI leader also denounced prolonged and unannounced power outages in Landikotal, calling it unbearable for residents. He also raised concerns about the conditions at the Landikotal holding center for Afghan refugees. He demanded improved facilities, doubling of NADRA staff and an increase in manifesto counters to at least ten windows.
He threatened the government that failure to address public issues, particularly the hospital’s electricity crisis, would force Jamaat-e-Islami to initiate a full-scale protests movement, adding that “decisions would then be made on the streets.”
