Summer 2011 is just set in and electricity load-shedding in Pakistan has intensified.
People are experiencing the worst load-shedding of history of Pakistan.The ongoing load-shedding in Karachi is likely to increase further. KESC has extended it daily up to 9 hours. It is being exercised in all domestic, educational and industrial areas.
The country is facing huge electricity crisis today. Industrialisation, metropolitan areas and education system have been badly affected by power crisis. Industry which is the key sector of production in any economy which acquires technological advances is badly affected by electricity crisis. Power outages cripple industrial production.
It has hit the industry hard as production will be cut to half due to power outages.
The students are hit hard by this issue. They cannot study properly in dim light and under hot and humid weather. They have been compelled to take classes and sit in examination with no electricity. This would badly affect our education system.
The decision has been taken to maintain the regular three-hour period of outages in residential areas. People in a number of localities complained of prolonged and frequent spells of outages amid hot and humid weather.
Many of people, especially the more affluent ones, have taken various steps to ameliorate the effects of load-shedding with stand by lights, gas equipment and generators being the most frequently purchased items. They enjoy facilities to stay cool while a common man who already struggles for basic necessities, cannot manage these lavish equipments.
Pakistan State Oil has stopped furnace oil supply to three independent power producers which produce electricity to KESC for the city. Due to reduced furnace oil supply, it is feared that the IPPs will not be able to generate and provide electricity which will increase the frequency of load-shedding in the city.
This crisis appears insurmountable in the near or even long-term future, unless proper understanding and correct implementation is undertaken on priority basis.
We an appeal to the government not to further delayed this serious issue and take appropriate steps in order to ameliorate the problems of energy shortage since the shortage of electricity has severe detrimental effects on all sectors of economy.
AFIFA HASHMI
Karachi