The city suburbs witnessed 20 hours of load shedding on Wednesday, while the central city dwellers were left without electricity for 14 hours. Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCP), indifferent to public woes, continued with load shedding in three-hour spells.
The senior doctors of the city appealed the government to declare the city “calamity-hit” and ensure continuous electricity supply for at least a month; until the temperature dropped and dengue mosquito disappeared.
The duration of load shedding is increasing with each passing day. In many areas of the city, electricity was cut off for two hours after half an hour of electric supply. With the federal government appearing unconcerned, it seems as if the people have been left at the mercy of PEPCO, which has failed to deliver.
The traders have warned the government of protests if the current load shedding schedule continued, while the citizens say they have lost faith in the government and PEPCO. “PEPCO is making fun of the prime minister’s statement of not carrying out unscheduled load shedding. It is least bothered,” said a citizen, Abdul Kareem.
A ministry of power official said that PEPCO officials were more interested in their postings than providing relief to the consumers and reducing load shedding. “PEPCO would be dissolved on October 31 and its higher authorities are busy in finding their seats than performing their duties,” said the official, adding that it was high time for the government to take action and improve its public image.
Meanwhile, PEPCO issued power generation/demand figures claiming that the electricity demand was higher than the production. According to the figures, electricity demand remained at 18,861MW while the production stood at 12,763MW, shortfall being 6,098MW. The production from independent power plants (IPPs) dropped and remained 4,794MW, PEPCO officials said.
