Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz leader Amir Muqam said the sudden increase in demand has widened shortfall, causing prolonged power outages.
Addressing a press conference at WAPDA House on Saturday, Muqam slammed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf lawmakers and ministers for initiating protests. “Instead of politicising the issue they should help rid the country of the menace of load-shedding.”
The PML-N leader said if the provincial government is serious about resolving the issue, it should hand complete control of the Peshawar Electric Supply Company over to the Centre. “The shortfall has gone up to 100 megawatts. Areas exempt from outages will also have to bear the brunt.”
The adviser to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif directed Pesco officials to devise a contingency plan by Monday. “Pesco receives 1,650 megawatts, however, its demand has gone up to 2,500 megawatts,” he said, adding the infrastructure is incapable of handling demand determined by the scorching heat.
Muqam said the entire country was suffering, not just one province. “Vandalising public property is nonsensical. Who will resolve issues when the ministers themselves protest?” He also questioned the provincial government’s performance in this regard. “Imran Khan had promised the construction of 350 dams in the province. How many are ready?”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 21st, 2015.
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