LOWER DIR: Residents of Khawaja Kotegram village in Lower Adenzai are facing severe financial hardship due to low incomes and soaring electricity bills, leaving many families struggling to make ends meet.
According to local residents, the cost of living has increased sharply while wages remain stagnant. At the same time, electricity bills have reached unbearable levels, forcing people to cut down on basic household expenses.
”We earn Rs 25,000 to 30,000 a month, but the electricity bill alone comes to Rs 12,000 – Rs 15,000,” said Mohammad Rehman, a daily wage laborer from the village. “After paying the bill, there is nothing left for food, school fees, or medicine. We are forced to sit in the dark to save units.”
Another a widow supporting 5 children, said: ”My husband worked in the market but he passed away. Now I get Rs 8,000 from stitching clothes. Last month my bill was Rs 9,400. I sold my jewelry to pay it. The government says there is relief, but we see nothing here.”
”We are poor people. We don’t use ACs or heaters, just fans and lights,” said shopkeeper Haji Zareen. “Still the bills are in thousands. The meter readings are wrong and there is overbilling. We go to the WAPDA office but no one listens. If this continues, we will have to take to the streets.”
Young students are also affected. “I study at night but we have to turn off the fan and lights after 9 PM to reduce the bill,” said 10th grade student Irfan. “How can we study like this?”
Villagers have appealed to the KP government, MNA, and PESCO officials to provide immediate relief, correct billing, and reduce tariffs for low-income households in Lower Adenzai.
”We are not asking for free electricity,” said elder Malik Saeed Khan. “We are asking for fair bills that match our income. Otherwise, people will be forced to resort to kunda connections.”
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