Recent reports of inflated energy invoices have triggered a nationwide wave of protests, encompassing metropolises witnessing demonstrations orchestrated by the Ja­maat-e-Islami, asserting vehement opposition to the exorbitant surge in electricity bills and condemning perceived overcharging by the KE. In Rawalpin­di, demonstrators congregated at Committee Chowk, setting bills ablaze and demanding the rescission of imposed levies on electricity. Peshawar joined the chorus of dissent, with power consumers denouncing the insufferable rise in utility costs and demanding swift government intervention.

Amidst this cacophony, traders and citizens across diverse urban landscapes united in protest on Friday against the mounting electricity costs that exacerbate the ever escalating inflationary pressures. Issuing a stern warning, they urged the government to brace itself for the consequences if it fails to address the persistent issue, which relentlessly drives up the cost of living.

The eruption of protests was sparked by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority’s decision to increase tariffs by Rs4.96 per unit in the preceding month. This adjustment was a prerequisite set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the release of a $3 billion short-term bailout package, earmarked for the South Asian nation.

The legislators’ appeals bear the weight of urgency, underlining the critical necessity for affordable electricity. In the prevailing climate of inflation, which blankets the nation and its populace with an oppressive mantle, the government’s ear must be attuned to the pleas for relief. Among their demands is the rollback of the recent price surge and a comprehensive addressal of the operational challenges faced by power distribution companies. The past month has witnessed the government twice heightening fuel prices, invoking the bi-weekly cost adjustment mechanism to achieve an unprecedented 15 percent surge. The business community, burdened with this dual escalation of fuel and energy rates alongside a relentless tide of inflation, voiced grave apprehensions about the toll it takes on their operations. Even though inflation scaled a historic zenith of 38 percent in May before retreating to 28.3 percent in July, the looming shadow of elevated costs remains a constant specter.

These legislators reiterated the urgent need for affordable electricity, given the prevailing inflation that burdens both the nation and its citizens. Their appeal to the government included a demand to rescind the recent price surge and address service-related issues within power distribution companies. In the past month, the government has twice augmented fuel prices through a bi-weekly cost adjustment mechanism, culminating in an unprecedented 15 percent surge. Traders, grappling with this combined escalation in fuel and energy rates alongside rampant inflation, expressed severe hindrance to their business operations. Although inflation scaled a historic peak of 38 percent in May before receding to 28.3 percent in July, it remains alarmingly high.

Within this clamor of voices, traders and citizens across diverse urban landscapes joined forces in a collective crescendo on Friday. Their demand: an immediate halt to the relentless march of mounting electricity costs that further exacerbate the relentless inflationary pressures. With an unambiguous message, they called upon the government to brace itself for the consequential fallout should it fail to address the persisting issue. This issue, an unyielding factor driving up the cost of living, cannot be ignored without consequences.