In a daring new revelation, the PEPCO managing director has blamed electricity load shedding on constant political meddling in the affairs of the power regulator.
In an interview with a private TV channel in Lahore, PEPCO Managing Director Rasool Khan Mehsood said political appointments in every regime were at the heart of load shedding. “Load shedding, like other problems facing the country, cannot be eliminated without putting an end to undue political interference,” he said, adding that Rs 300 billion circular debt could have been avoided if successive governments had given a free hand to PEPCO officials.
Mehsood said certain measures, including two weekly holidays, would save 800MW. “The Punjab government has the right to disagree, but PEPCO is bound to follow the federal government’s load shedding schedule,” he added. The MD said of the Rs 300 billion, the federal and provincial governments and departments owed Rs 155 billion.