Aaj English TV

Monday, December 23, 2024  
20 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1446  

Power riots rocks cities of Punjab, 3 killed

LAHORE: Angry masses are protesting against energy crisis across Punjab for so many days after observing load shedding for more than 20-22 hours.

Frustrated protesters took to the roads across the country to voice their exasperation, with many cities in the Punjab witnessing ransacking, looting and widespread vandalism.

Earlier, today DPO Kamalia went to the house of Pakistan Muslim League (PML-Q) MNA Riaz Fatiana for talks but he wasn't available upon which the angry protesters burnt two police vans outside his home,  three people were killed and 15 injured as a result of retaliatory firing from guards present at Fatiana’s house.

Subsequently, Outraged civilians put MNA Riaz Fatiyana's house on fire.

Traffic was suspended in most parts of Multan and Faisalabad because of road blockades as protesters burnt effigies of people they hold responsible for their distress.

Trains were also halted between Faisalabad, Rawalpindi to Karachi.

Protesters also destroyed a private bank in Lahore ultimately Police resorted to firing of tear gas shells to disperse the demonstrators who in return pelted stones at the police force.

Meanwhile, Police in the Punjab province have registered cases against more than 4,000 persons allegedly involved in the loadshedding riots and vandalism that took place since last three days.

Riaz Fatian­a denies killings of people

Talking to Aaj news, MNA Riaz Fatiana denied the killing of three people due to the retaliatory firing from his guards.

He said, some unknown people with covered faces came on bikes during the protest outside his house and shot down the people, while his guards only did Ariel firing to dispersed the protesters.

He said, police were failed to stop the angry protesters and the Outraged people had the support of PPP.

Shahbaz asks protestors to remain calm

Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has urged people across the province to restrain themselves while expressing their sentiments against load shedding, and show patience, forbearance and tolerance.

In an appeal issued from the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, the CM urged the people to make sure that no damage was done to human life and public and private property during protests against load shedding.

In his appeal, he said that the present leadership of Punjab was fully aware of the miseries of the people, caused by load shedding in these hottest days of the year. He said that he was aware of the fact that people had no option but to protest against the worst corruption and painful load shedding. He said that to protest was a legitimate and legal right of the people, and he was fully aware of the hatred and anger that the general public had against those living luxurious lives in Islamabad.