Hundreds of people in one of Pakistan’s hottest cities stormed a power station in protest against cuts lasting up to 20 hours a day, police said Friday.

The protesters also ransacked the station’s neighboring administrative office in Thursday night’s incident in rural Sibi, in southern Balochistan province, where temperatures peaked at 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit).

“People stormed the electricity supply office and ransacked it last night and a case has been lodged against them,” police official Anayatullah Bungulzai told AFP, adding that the group numbered up to 800 people.

Planned power cuts, also known as loadshedding, happen frequently in Pakistan due to fuel shortages, varying in length in different areas.

In Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, power outages are prolonged due to both electricity production deficits and unpaid bills by consumers that affect entire neighborhoods.

Afzal Baloch, spokesperson for the Quetta Electricity Supply Company, told AFP the company suffers “significant” monthly losses due to outstanding payments.

However, protester Noor Ahmad said on Friday they were “compelled” to act over “the excessive loadshedding lasting for hours despite our timely payments of bills.”

Sibi is one of the hottest settled areas in Pakistan, where temperatures regularly reach 50C (122F) degrees during heatwaves.

Scientists say such conditions are becoming longer, more frequent and more intense as a result of climate change.

Balochistan is also one of Pakistan’s poorest provinces, and battles poor security, rugged terrain, an unreliable water supply and restricted employment opportunities.

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s top military brass on Friday raised concerns over “unwarranted” criticism of a newly announced operation against militant violence in the country, saying it would assist the government in addressing all security-related challenges undermining investor confidence.
The military’s media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), announced this in a statement circulated after the 265th Corps Commanders’ Conference held at the General Headquarters in Rawalpindi, presided over by Army Chief General Asim Munir.
The participants reviewed the overall security landscape and focused on Operation Azm-e-Istehkam — or Resolve for Stability — which was announced last month during the meeting of the country’s top security body.
The opposition parties, including former prime minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), raised objections to the planned operation, pointing out that it should have first been debated in the national parliament. They also expressed fears it could create further instability in the country.
“The forum undertook a comprehensive review of internal and external security situation of the country and had detailed discussion on various aspects of ‘Azm-e-Istehkam’, which is aimed at harnessing the national counter terrorism efforts in a synchronized manner to dismantle the nexus of terrorism and illegal spectrum in the country for enduring stability and economic prosperity,” the ISPR said.
“Forum noted with concern the unwarranted criticism by some quarters and deliberate misrepresentation of the vision, only for furthering their vested interests,” it added.
The statement said Pakistan’s military leadership was cognizant of the full spectrum of challenges faced by the country, as it pointed out that it would “shoulder its constitutionally mandated responsibilities with support of the resilient people of Pakistan.”
The conference also raised alarm over the “onslaught of politically motivated digital terrorism” against state institution, saying it was to create despondency among the nation and sow the seeds of discord through “fake news and propaganda.”
“Armed Forces along with the nation are fully aware of all such machinations and stand united and committed in defeating the notorious designs of the enemies of Pakistan,” the ISPR statement maintained.
“Forum reiterated to continue full support of ongoing efforts in uplifting the socioeconomic growth and wholeheartedly assisting the government in curbing all illegal activities which hamper investors’ confidence, economic stability and growth.”
The government’s decision to launch the new operation against militants came against the backdrop of a surge in violence in different parts of the country.
It also came shortly after a top Chinese leader visited Pakistan and expressed concern over militant attacks, noting they causing consternation among investors in his country.
The government plans to hold an all-parties conference in the coming days to take all political stakeholder on board with its anti-militancy plan, though its exact date is yet to be announced.