A patient trapped in traffic during a protest against prolonged power outages in Nowshera lost his life. The protest, which began in the Rashakai area, was sparked by 22 hours of unannounced load shedding, leading to hours-long demonstrations.
According to SHO Rashakai, district administration officials attempted to negotiate with the protesters, but they refused to clear the road. The protest saw escalations as demonstrators hurled stones and fired shots into the air, prompting police to respond with baton charges and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
During the turmoil, a pistol was recovered from a young protester. The ongoing protest, which lasted for six hours, caused severe disruptions on GT Road and the motorway, leaving travelers and patients stranded in dire conditions. Among those affected was a patient who reportedly died after being stuck in the resulting traffic jam.
DPO Nowshera, Azhar Khan, stated that legal action would be taken against those who took the law into their own hands. The protest highlighted the frustration of residents over frequent and prolonged power outages, but the tragic loss of life underscored the severe consequences of such disruptions and the urgent need for a resolution.