As the tiff between the PEPCO and PSO remains unresolved while the worst-ever energy crisis is looming in the country, President Asif Ali Zardari has summoned the heads of the oil, gas and energy organisations along with other authorities concerned today (Monday) to hammer out a strategy for mitigating the sufferings of common people and help run industrial units. According to a source, the president has taken serious notice of the situation and sought suggestions from the main actors over the issue.
The energy shortfall has reached a record level, 6000 MW, mainly due to the continuing row between the PEPCO and PSO over payment of billions of rupees to the latter. According to reports, the PSO owes over Rs 200 billion to the PEPCO and it has refused to supply furnace oil to the power sector because of non-payment of its dues to avoid further default on part of the sector. Presently, power generation hovers around 9500 MW.
It is likely that the shortfall would further swell in the coming days. The PSO supplies around 23,000 tonnes of fuel per day to the power sector but it has not received any dues since the last payment on January 7.
