Women in the district of Dera Ismail Khan, Tank, dressed in traditional shuttlecock burqas have taken to the streets against constant and extreme power outages.

Marking their presence in a rare public demonstration, the women voiced their frustration over the worsening power crisis as they were joined by dozens of men. 

Social worker Sanam Gul Tator, along with the district president of Awami National Party Fazal Kareem Tator, led the protest rally, which saw a significant turnout of frustrated and angry residents. In a rare move, the protestors, including children, chanted slogans against the authorities.

Describing the excessive power outages as “cruel and inhumane,” locals blamed the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) for gross negligence and mismanagement.

The city of Tank is currently grappling with a severe energy crisis, as electric outages have now reportedly exceeded 20 hours a day. The prolonged and unannounced loadshedding has paralysed daily life, pushing citizens to the edge of desperation.

Women are struggling to manage household chores, and businesses have come to a near standstill amidst April’s scorching heat and little to no electricity.

The protesters demanded immediate action to reduce the hours of loadshedding, warning that if the situation did not improve, the scope of the demonstrations would be expanded further, including sit-ins and large-scale demonstrations across the region.