Industries cannot sustain any further increase in load shedding timings as the country’s economy is on the verge of collapse, Sindh Industries and Commerce Minister Rauf Siddiqui said on Friday. “There is a dire need to make a decision by consulting all the stakeholders at this time as prolonged power outages are weakening the country’s economy,” he said while addressing the business community at the SITE Association office. The minister expressed shock over the KESC management’s SMS to industrialists, informing them that load shedding hours have been increased to 10 hours a day.
“The increase in load shedding duration would not be accepted at any cost,” he said. “If the KESC is facing a power shortfall or any other issue, it can be resolved amicably between the industrialists and the KESC management,” he added. “I will personally approach the Sindh governor and other authorities concerned to resolve this issue as soon as possible. A letter would also be forwarded to the Water and Power Ministry informing it about the electricity issue the industrialists are facing.”