MANSEHRA: Residents of Balakot tehsil blocked the Mansehra-Naran-Jalkhad Road for over three hours on Saturday in protest, demanding free electricity from nearby dams. They warned that they would prevent the prime minister from inaugurating a newly completed energy plant in the region on September 17 if their demands were not met.
The protesters gathered outside Madni Plaza, marching through various streets before returning to their starting point. Former MPA Mian Ziaur Rehman addressed the crowd, saying, “The government has announced free electricity for residents in areas where dams are constructed, and it should enforce this notification for our tehsil [Balakot]. Otherwise, we will obstruct the inauguration of the Suki Kinari hydel power project by the prime minister on September 17.”
Another speaker, Mian Ashraf, highlighted that the government already provides free electricity to the people of Kohistan and Chilas from the Dasu and Diamer-Basha hydropower projects.
The road closure caused significant inconvenience for travelers between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan, as well as within the Mansehra district. Many were stranded for around three hours until the protesters dispersed.
