ISLAMABAD: The eateries in Rawalpindi have rejected 300pc to 1500pc hike in sewerage and water charges and warned of protests on Aug 26 if the government did not reverse theincrease.

A delegation of All Rawalpindi Restaurants, Hotels, Bakers and Caterers Association visited the office of Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) and held a meeting with its Managing Director Mohammad Tanveer.

President of the association Chaudhry Farooq demanded immediate withdrawal of the increase in the water and sewerage bills. He expressed concerns over increase in water bills from Rs 300 to Rs 1300 per month and said that traders could not afford theincrease.

He suggested to the government to make rational decisions regarding utility bills by taking the stakeholders on board.

Talking to Dawn, Farooq said the Wasa managing director should take up the issue with the caretaker Chief Minister Mohsin Naqvi.

He further said that the government must address their grievances otherwisw traders would stage protests from Aug 26. Staff Reporter