Lights out on Eid despite orders

PESCO claims consumers were given ‘special relief’ during holidays

PESHAWAR: Peshawar Electric Supply Company did not obey orders of the Ministry for Water and Power to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the three days of Eidul Fitr. The power utility continued with its routine load-shedding.



The ministry claimed it would ensure uninterrupted power supply to consumers for the three days as it would have additional electricity available on Eid due to the closure of industries. However, Pesco went against these orders.

Meanwhile, Pesco Spokesperson Shaukat Afzal claimed in his statement that electricity was provided to 90% of the areas of the province on Eid. “The public was provided special relief,” he was quoted as saying. He did acknowledge there was load-shedding during Eid in certain areas.



Pesco has been conducting 16 to 18 hours of load-shedding in certain areas due to “losses”. “The high loss feeders are subject to more load-shedding.”

Gas disconnected

Gas supply was suspended to areas near Dalazak Road for three days, forcing residents to block the road in protest on Friday. Sui Northern Gas Pipelines (SNGPL) General Manager Arbab Saqib told The Express Tribune supply was disconnected in certain areas near Dalazak because pipelines were damaged during repair work of gutters in the vicinity.

“Our teams spent Eid fixing the issue and gas supply has been resumed,” Saqib said. Supply was resumed on Friday evening after three days.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 9^th, 2016.