ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Saturday reprimanded Secretary Water and Power Younus Dagha over power outages in several parts of the country.
The Prime Minister directed that all steps must be taken on urgent basis to address the power situation so that the suffering of the people can be mitigated at the earliest.
The Prime Minister called Secretary Water and Power, Mr. Younus Dagha to the PM House Saturday morning and sought briefing from him on load shedding situation in the country.
The Prime Minister was informed that there has been an unprecedented surge in power demand on the first day of Ramazan which necessitated some forced load shedding, and the situation could only be brought under control if the demand decreases.
Earlier, Nawaz Sharif expressed displeasure over the power outages during Sehr and Iftar. He had sought reply on the load-shedding during these timings.
He also directed the Ministry of Water and Power to address the complaints at the earliest.
According to reports, during the meeting with Dagha, the prime minister also expressed displeasure over the preliminary report submitted by the Secretary of Water and Power and directed him to address citizens’ complaints at the earliest.
Dagha’s report on power outages, which was submitted to the PM today, said that the water and power ministry was able to provide uninterrupted electricity to about 75 to 80 per cent of areas in the country on the first day of Ramazan.
The report stated that there were difficulties in areas where Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) and Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) are situated. It said that both companies had received a large number of complaints from residents of the areas.
Citing the reason for power outages, the report said it was due to the severe heatwave in the country which has been ongoing for the past two to three days. It also said that there was an increase in the demand of electricity beyond 21,000 MW.
The secretary assured Prime Minister Nawaz that his ministry was fully aware of people’s difficulties, adding that steps were being taken to continue the provision of electricity in Ramazan.
Meanwhile Minister for Water and Power Khawaja Mohammad Asif has said due to continuous and vigorous monitoring and load management, the Ministry of Water and power has been able to control force load shedding in the country since yesterday (Friday) Iftari time. The electricity supply will be assured as per the schedule.
In a statement here Saturday Kh Asif said we have been able to improve the electricity supply situation and 93% Urban and 86% rural areas have been provided uninterrupted electricity for the last Iftar, Tarawee and today Sehri timings as announced by the Ministry.
He said we are making all out efforts to improve the situation and Inshallah gradually the situation is returning to normal schedule loadshedding during the day and no load shedding during Iftar, Tarawee and Sehri.
The Minister pointed out that the supply of electricity to Karachi is the responsibility of K-Electric. Ministry of Water and Power is supplying 650MW to Karachi despite difficulties and that the agreement has expired and no new arrangement has been made so far. This is being done to alleviate the sufferings of the inhabitants of Karachi.
He said the electricity situation of the entire country is being monitored continuously except for system constraints. The federal complaint cell is also operating 24/7 for ratification of technical faults.
INP