Shutterdown observed against power cuts, wheat shortage

By: Zulfiqar Ali Khan

HUNZA-NAGAR, Nov 16: A shutterdowns strike was observed in major towns of Hunza against frequent power breakdown and wheat shortage in the valley. The strike was called by All Hunza Union Council (AHUC) in collaboration with the All Hunza Bazaar Association. All shops, hotels, banks and hotels remained closed for eight hours in Aliabad and Karimabad towns.

A meeting attended by union councillors, representatives of political parties, youth organisations and traders at Aliabad condemned non-implementation of the chief secretary’s directives in this regard which he had made after visiting Hunza on August 8.

They said the frequent and prolonged power breakdowns had made the life of the residents miserable while the highups were enjoying the benefits of special lines.

They also demanded an immediate halt to cutting of power lines of poor people and forceful installation of new Wapda meters. They said the authorities had purchased a highly expensive generator for Hunza but it remained non-functional due to irregularities in the fuel budget.

They also accused the Civil Supply Organisation of irregularities in the wheat quota for Hunza.

The strike ended after negotiations between Amir Alam, the acting assistant commissioner of Hunza, and Zakir Hussain, in charge of CSO.

The acting AC said an increase of about 5,144 bags had been made in the wheat quota of Hunza. However, the CSO official was unable to give a correct figure on the quota.

Karim Khan, the secretary AHUC, blamed a director of CSO in Gilgit for cutting down about 27,000 bags of wheat in the quota of Hunza.

He said the increase in the wheat quota announced by the official was a peanut.

The president of the Aliabad Bazaar Association said there were only 200 bags of wheat in the stock of the CSO.

He said the CSO should have stored wheat enough for at least three months as blockade of the Karakoram Highway or any natural calamity can create famine in the region. Also at Dawn