The dilemma of power crisis from Karachi reached Lahore now. It has been the worst week in regards of load shedding while the icing on the cake comes from the government’s decision to increase the petroleum prices from 6 to 9 rupees a liter. The duration of load shedding reaches 8 to 12 hours or more. The fault has not yet been removed by PEPCO and it is hard to bear harsh summers with mercury touching 38 to 40 degrees. Enough reasons for Lahoris to protest.

The traders in Lahore were on complete shutter-down strike today called by trade organizations against the price hike, load shedding and recent increase in petroleum prices.  All trade centers at Mall Road, Hall Road, Bandth Road, McLeod Road, Anarkali, Ferozpur Road remain closed; while, the trade leaders announced to take out protest rallies and stage public gatherings at Hall Road, Mall Road and Kot Lakhpat.

Meantime, Lahore traders have put up banners and posters with slogans against government and Wapda written on them, at Mall Road and all adjoining markets against the unjustified raise in power tariffs, load shedding and hike in petroleum prices.

The advertisement from PEPCO urges people to save electricity but if there is no electricity how could people save it?