ISLAMABAD - The uncontrollable and prolonged loadshedding in the holy month of Ramazan has also created rifts within the ranks of the ruling PPP as one of its Ministers on Tuesday took the extreme step of taking hostage the staff of National Power Control Centre as a mark of protest against prolonged loadshedding in his constituency.
According to a media reports, Minister of State for Defence Sardar Saleem Haider, who has been elected from NA-59 constituency situated near the Federal capital, went to National Power Control Centre situated in Sector H-8 of the Federal capital on Tuesday afternoon to inquire about the reason of 20 hours loadshedding in his constituency. This centre is responsible for making the schedule for the loadshedding.
Saleem Haider after unsatisfactory response from the General Manager about the loadshedding in his constituency took the whole staff of the Centre ‘hostage’.
He was also accompanied by the people of his constituency.
PM’s Principal Secretary after getting information about the incident immediately contacted Sardar Saleem Haider and requested him to release the ‘hostages’ but he refused.
Later, on the request of Federal Minister for Water and Power Chaudhry Ahmed Mukhtar, Saleem Haider released the ‘hostages’ after more than two hours.
Saleem Haider justified his act, saying that he was left with no other option as the prolonged loadshedding in Ramazan has damaged the PPP’s reputation.