Hydro Union to Stage Sit-In at WAPDA Headquarters in Peshawar on January 14.
By: M. Ilyas.
Peshawar: The All Pakistan WAPDA Hydro Electric Workers Union Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has finalized arrangements for a large-scale protest sit-in at the WAPDA House on Shami Road, Peshawar, scheduled for January 14, 2025. The union has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the government and the PESCO administration, accusing them of ignoring the genuine grievances of workers.
During an extraordinary executive body meeting held at Iqbal Labor Complex, Ring Road, Peshawar, under the chairmanship of provincial chairman Haji Muhammad Iqbal, union leaders and regional commanders from PESCO, TESCO, and HAZICO participated. The meeting was also attended by Provincial Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Haiderzai, Central Chairman Gohar Taj, Vice Chairman Yasir Kamran, Joint Secretary Tariq Khan, Finance Secretary Nasir Khan, Information Secretary Gohar Ali, and regional representatives.
Provincial Secretary Noor-ul-Amin Haiderzai briefed the gathering on the union’s activities between December 16, 2024, and January 8, 2025. He lauded workers for their peaceful protests and rallies held across various circles. Haiderzai noted that the union had formally conveyed workers’ concerns regarding staff shortages, privatization plans for distribution companies, and other pressing issues to authorities, including the President of Pakistan and the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, both in writing and face-to-face meetings.
Despite multiple efforts and repeated alerts through print, electronic, and social media, he lamented the continued inaction of government officials and PESCO administration in addressing their legal and legitimate demands. The union declared that thousands of workers from Peshawar and Khyber Circles would occupy PESCO Headquarters on January 14 and spend the night there if their demands remain unmet. Workers from other circles will hold concurrent sit-ins in their respective regions until their grievances are resolved.
Union leaders emphasized that the responsibility for any disruption caused by the protests lies squarely with the government and PESCO authorities. The workers have vowed to persist in their struggle until their rights are acknowledged and upheld.
