Residents of Reshun village in Upper Chitral have escalated their two-month-long sit-in into a hunger strike, demanding that power distribution in their area be reverted to the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation (Pedo). The protest, led by the local power action committee chairman Amirullah Khan, highlights dissatisfaction with the current arrangement under Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco), which residents accuse of issuing inflated bills and failing to meet agreed terms.
The dispute began after Pesco took over power distribution following the destruction of the 4.2MW Pedo hydropower station in Reshun by flash floods four years ago. Although the station was restored last year, residents claim Pesco failed to withdraw, as per the agreement, and imposed higher tariffs compared to Pedo. Protesters have pointed out that Pesco's per-unit rate of Rs13 is significantly higher than Pedo's Rs2.50, leading to monthly bills surging from Rs2,000 to Rs8,000.
The hunger strike, supported by villagers including elderly participants, reflects mounting frustration with government inaction despite repeated appeals. Residents argue that electricity supplied by a provincial facility should not result in inflated bills from a federal entity and demand immediate reversion to Pedo's management for affordable and transparent billing.