PESHAWAR: Awami National Party Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sardar Hussain Babak on Monday warned that growing economic hardship and administrative paralysis had pushed Khyber Pakhtunkhwa towards serious unrest, as protests by various segments of society continued across the province. Speaking in a statement, Mr Babak said university teachers were protesting over non-payment of salaries, contractors were demanding release of their pending dues, while government employees and pensioners were on the streets for their basic rights. He added that due to deprivation of powers and funds, local government representatives were forced to stage protests outside the provincial assembly every month. He said unrest in the province had taken a dangerous turn as inflation continued to soar and unemployment increased with each passing day. Protests were being held across Pakhtunkhwa against rising prices and prolonged power outages, while the development process in the province had come to a complete halt. Mr Babak said businesses had been destroyed, trade activities had virtually ceased and people were facing severe economic pressure and despair. He added that the purchasing power of the public had been exhausted, forcing many to struggle from door to door to secure two meals a day. Calling on the provincial government to “come to its senses”, he urged it to take immediate and serious steps to resolve public problems. DLP Report
