UPPER DIR: Members of the Tehsil council Laram Dir upper have expressed anger about the worsening conditions faced by residents due to hours-long power outage and the inefficiency of several key government departments in the area.
The session, held at the council hall in Laram, witnessed heated discussions as local representatives openly criticised the Water Management, Health, Communication and Works (C&W), and Forest departments for their alleged negligence, mismanagement, and lack of response to public needs.
Council members voiced their alarm over the ongoing electricity crisis in Laram and nearby areas. They reported that power outages lasting 16 to 18 hours a day have become the norm, causing massive disruption to households, businesses, and students.
“People are living in darkness. They cannot run fans, store medicines, or even pump water. Children are suffering, and our elderly are falling sick due to extreme heat,” one member stated. “Despite repeated appeals, WAPDA and other relevant authorities remain silent.”
Local shopkeepers and small business owners have also complained about financial losses due to unreliable electricity, which has forced many to reduce their working hours or rely on costly generators.
The C&W Department was criticised for the poor condition of local roads. Council members said several link roads in Laram are in a dilapidated state, full of potholes and dangerous turns, posing serious risks to travellers, especially during the rainy season. “Funds are being allocated every year, but the condition of our roads continues to deteriorate. Where is the money going?” questioned another councillor.
Similarly, the Health Department came under scrutiny for failing to provide even the most basic medical facilities. Many villages lack functional health centres, while the few that exist are reportedly short-staffed and without essential medicines or equipment. “The people of Laram are forced to travel miles to reach hospitals in other tehsils. In emergencies, this delay can be fatal,” said one female council member.
Concerns were also raised about the Water Management Department, particularly regarding incomplete or non-functional water schemes. According to the council members, many rural areas still lack access to clean drinking water, and no long-term solution has been introduced to address the shortage.
The Forest Department was similarly criticised. Despite Laram being a forest-rich area, deforestation continues unchecked. Councillors accused the department of turning a blind eye to illegal tree-cutting, which is not only destroying the environment but also affecting the local climate and agriculture.
In a joint resolution passed at the end of the meeting, the council demanded that the provincial government take immediate action to address these issues. They called for high-level officials from each department to visit Laram and hold open forums with the public. “The people of Laram feel abandoned. It is time that the government listens to our voices and acts,” the resolution stated. Council members warned that if their concerns continue to be ignored, they would be left with no choice but to organise public protests and road blockades to press for their demands.
The situation in Laram reflects broader challenges faced in many rural parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, where government services are often limited or poorly managed. The people now look to their elected representatives and provincial leaders for meaningful reforms that translate into real change on the ground.
Read also: Resident protested against excessive power outages in Kohat
