Riots in Pakistan over power cuts

Islamabad, June 18 (IANS) Riots broke out in Pakistan Sunday over long hours of power cuts.

Police fired tear gas shells and baton charged to disperse protesters in several cities of eastern Punjab province after the crowds turned violent.

In some places, the power supply offices and police stations were attacked.

Pakistan faces a shortfall of nearly 8,500 megawatt of electricity this year.

As a result, the authorities were forced to cut power supply for up to 18 hours.

In Islamabad, people endured up to 10 hours of power cuts, Xinhua reported.

A spokesman for Pakistan Electric Power Company said inadequate fuel supply to power generating stations have affected electricity production.

Protests were also held in Lahore and the industrial city of Faisalabad.

Rioters also attacked the house of a ruling party lawmaker in Chichawatni.

The Khyber Pakhtunkhowa province and the Sindh provincial capital of Karachi also witnessed protests.