Bannu on the Brink After Armed Men Allegedly Damage Main Electricity Grid

The Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) has alleged that repeated forced activation of high-loss electricity feeders at the Bannu and Sarai Naurang grid stations has severely damaged a high-voltage transformer, raising the risk of major power disruptions across the Bannu region.

Secretary Power told ProPakistani that the incidents are part of a long-running pattern in which armed groups allegedly enter grid stations and force staff to restore electricity to high loss feeders, resulting in grid overloading and damage to critical infrastructure.

The latest incidents occurred on June 24, June 25, and June 27.

PESCO said that the brother of a sitting MPA and a former provincial minister entered the Bannu and Sarai Naurang grid stations with armed associates and forcibly switched on high-loss feeders. PESCO claimed the groups remained inside the grid stations throughout the night to prevent the feeders from being switched off.

PESCO said the unauthorized restoration of the feeders overloaded the grid, severely affecting the high-voltage transformer installed at the station.

Repair work is currently underway, but the company warned that continued overloading could lead to a major fault and potentially disrupt the entire Bannu region.

The utility said it has submitted applications to the relevant police stations seeking the registration of criminal cases against the individuals named in the complaint. It also mentioned that no FIR has been registered so far.

According to PESCO, similar incidents have continued for several years. The company said it has repeatedly informed the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, the Commissioner Bannu, and the Regional Police Officer Bannu about the situation, but no effective legal action has been taken. It claimed its staff is unable to stop armed individuals from entering grid stations.

PESCO further alleged that the continued operation of high-loss and electricity theft-prone feeders has encouraged consumers to stop paying electricity bills while increasing electricity consumption, particularly through the use of air conditioners.

The utility warned that unless the situation is addressed, the overloaded grid could suffer a major technical failure with widespread consequences for electricity consumers in the region.