Amidst continuous load shedding and protests over electricity shortage, there have been fears of a nation-wide power breakdown.
According to details, PEPCO sources told a private TV channel that the power shortfall on Saturday was 7000MW as against the generation of 9200MW.
Sources said that the power situation would go from bad to worse until the government released Rs 17 billion to PSO and IPs.
On the other hand more than 18 hours of load shedding is being enforced in cities and over 20 hours in rural areas.
Due to unavailability of electricity, people have been unable to get water.
People in different cities and towns protested against non availability of electricity on Saturday. They blocked GT Road and city roads in Okara, Gujranwala, Sukkur, Chakwal and at other places to register their protest.
In Hangu, a tribal jirga protested over the load shedding and decided not to pay electricity bills. It was also decided that people who paid their bills would be fined to the tune of Rs 200,000 each.
Prolonged power outages have not only broken the back of the already-crippled business activities but also created severe problems for citizens who are facing unscheduled electricity load shedding of 20 hours round the clock.
Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) have been subjected to prolonged and unscheduled electricity load shedding varying between 18 to 20 hours a day.
Prime Minister Mir Hazar Khan Khoso has taken notice of worsening electricity shortage and directed minister for water and power to take immediate steps to improve the situation.
CITIZENS SEEK LEGAL HELP
A petition was also filed in the Lahore High Court on Saturday seeking formation of judicial commission on electricity issue.
The petitioner has asked court to issue directives to end all the private power companies and restore Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA).
It was also mentioned in the petition that concerned authorities have created temporary electricity shortage for their personal interests and a judicial commission should be formed to look into the matter and bring those responsible to justice.
