Haroon Siraj
SWAT
The Awami National Party (ANP) Swat chapter on Wednesday, criticised the federal government for reversing its earlier decision to waive electricity bills for flood-affected residents of the district, calling the move unjust and insensitive.
In a press statement, ANP spokesperson Zia-ul-Haq Nasir said that following the floods of August 15, the federal government had announced electricity bill remissions for the affected areas. However, recent utility bills issued to consumers in Swat include the waived amounts as arrears, effectively nullifying the announced relief.
He described the recovery of these amounts as a “cruel joke” with residents who are still struggling to recover from the devastation caused by the floods.
The spokesperson said that commercial consumers, particularly shopkeepers and hotel owners, were bearing the brunt of the decision. He added that Swat’s tourism-based economy had yet to fully recover due to flood damage and deteriorating road infrastructure.
Nasir alleged that while the provincial government had failed to provide tangible relief, the federal government’s move had exposed what he termed “political point-scoring”, as the promised concessions were now being recovered through instalments.
He warned that public frustration was mounting and said traders and residents had expressed serious concern over the billing practices.
The ANP had begun consultations with other political parties and traders’ unions to launch a joint protest against the decision.
The party demanded that both the federal and provincial governments provide genuine and permanent relief to flood-affected people instead of shifting responsibility.
The ANP reaffirmed its commitment to support the people of Swat and said it would oppose any measures that further burden the district’s already fragile economy.
