KOHAT:In a rare show of public frustration, women from Mohallah Khazanchi here on Thursday took to the streets alongside elderly residents to protest water shortages, gas scarcity and prolonged power outages, blocking the city’s main bazaar and bringing traffic to a standstill.
The unusual demonstration reflected the depth of anger among residents over the prolonged deprivation of basic amenities, which they said had made everyday life increasingly difficult.
The protesting women joined elderly residents in marching to the main bazaar, where they raised their voices against the concerned authorities and demanded an immediate solution to their problems. Some women were seen carrying sticks as the demonstration intensified.
In a society where women in many parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa face social and cultural barriers to appearing publicly at protests, their participation in the demonstration highlighted the extent of their frustration over the persistent shortage of essential services.
The protesters demanded the immediate restoration of water supply and an end to unscheduled gas and electricity load-shedding, saying the situation had severely affected their households.
The blockade disrupted traffic in the main bazaar and caused inconvenience to commuters and traders.
The women urged the authorities to take immediate notice of their grievances, stressing that access to water, gas and electricity was a basic necessity that could no longer be ignored.