Pakistan: No decision yet on provincial requests to block internet in Muharram

Hundreds of people stormed a power plant in one of Pakistan’s hottest cities to protest against power outages lasting up to 20 hours a day, police said on Friday.

During the incidents on Thursday evening in rural Sibi in the southern province of Balochistan, where temperatures reached highs of 45 degrees Celsius, protesters also ransacked the station’s neighboring administration office.

“People stormed the electricity supply office last night and looted it. A complaint has been filed against them,” police officer Anayatullah Bungulzai told AFP, adding that the group consisted of up to 800 people.

Due to fuel shortages, Pakistan often experiences planned power outages, also known as load shedding, which can last for different lengths of time in different regions.

In Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, shortfalls in electricity production and unpaid bills by consumers are leading to prolonged power outages affecting entire neighborhoods.

Afzal Baloch, spokesman for the Quetta Electricity Supply Company, told AFP the company was suffering “significant” monthly losses due to outstanding payments.

However, protester Noor Ahmad said on Friday that they were “forced” to act because of “excessive power outages lasting hours” despite paying our bills on time.

Sibi is one of the hottest urban areas in Pakistan, with temperatures regularly reaching 50 °C (122 °F) during heatwaves.

Scientists believe that such conditions will last longer, occur more frequently and become more intense as a result of climate change.

Balochistan is also one of the poorest provinces in Pakistan and struggles with poor security, uneven terrain, unreliable water supplies and limited employment opportunities.