KARACHI:
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif warned the citizens of an increase in load shedding in July as the government has been unsuccessful in signing a deal for the supply of LNG. This is worrisome for citizens across the country because our livelihoods have already been disrupted by prolonged load shedding. Unfortunately, our plight is largely ignored as the media primarily focuses on Karachi and K-Electric.
In Peshawar, the load shedding situation is worsening daily, which has compelled residents to come out on the streets in protest because the government has failed to offer any respite. Despite power outages, the citizens have continued to receive high electricity bills, which they have paid efficiently. However, load shedding has increased up to 10 to 12 hours in most cities and up to 16 hours in small towns and villages. With a countrywide shortage of LNG, the situation will become extremely dire because not everyone can afford generators and UPS.
For the last several days, residents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have staged protests but received little media coverage or government attention. It is becoming extremely difficult for people to survive in the heat with long power outages. The provincial and the federal governments should probe into Peshawar Electric Supply Company’s practices and urge the company to reduce unscheduled load shedding.
Kareem Dad
Peshawar
Published in The Express Tribune, July 7th, 2022.
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