Weather cools but power blackouts persist

DISCOs chiefs brief PM Abbasi on load management situation

ISLAMABAD: Change in the weather may have brought a remarkable improvement in the power supply, yet lawmakers, especially from the ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N), are not happy with the way load-shedding is being carried out in their respective constituencies.

Sensing the gravity of the situation, Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi has directed the authorities concerned to take up the complaints of lawmakers regarding power outages in their political constituencies on a priority basis.

In this regard, Abbasi chaired a meeting of Distribution Companies, also known as DISCOs, on Friday to review the overall situation regarding load management.

According to government sources, the prime minister, during the briefing given by the representatives of DISCOs, looked surprised as to why elongated power outages were taking place in smaller cities, remote areas in particular, at a time when change in weather brought notable reduction in the power demand.



The sources said Abbasi was approached by several lawmakers, including those of his own party recently, with the complaint that unannounced power outages were still going on in their respective constituencies.

This caught the premier – who was earlier briefed by the power gurus that all was well and within control as far as the country’s load-shedding scenario was concerned – by surprise.

In central Punjab, which is regarded as the PML-N’s power bastion, and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa where the N-League is struggling to counter political dominance of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), the federal government is making desperate efforts to respond to the issue.

Against this backdrop, Abbasi has appointed his Political Adviser and PML-N K-P chapter President Amir Muqam as coordinator (only for K-P) for three important ministries – energy, power and water resources – to deal with the issues concerning those ministries and the province.



“The power situation may be better in bigger cities and mainstream areas, but in peripheral localities, remote areas and even in smaller cities, power outages are still taking place and is a source of concern for the rulers,” a government official commented, requesting anonymity.

“Abbasi”, he said, “has assured the legislators, even those belonging to opposition parties, to play his role against the prolonged load-shedding.”

A statement issued by the PM House also had an implied mention of the issue.

“Taking note of various issues highlighted by parliamentarians concerning developmental schemes in the power sector, the prime minister directs heads of Distribution Companies to adopt a proactive approach with regard to implementation of projects being undertaken under Sustainable Development Goals,” it said.



The prime minister, it said, directed the Ministry of Power and heads of DISCOs to come up with a comprehensive plan to improve system efficiency, reduce line losses and equip the system to meet the increased demand and supply situation in the country.

He also directed them to carry out a “detailed diagnostic analysis of the technical and administrative issues of the existing system and come up with workable solutions for their redressal”. He added, “Transmission and distribution losses, along with slippages in recoveries of billed amount are a huge drain on national finance.”

The statement said Abbasi also directed DISCOs’ chiefs to put in place a robust complaint management system in their respective organisations and to be more responsive towards public representatives.

The prime minister reiterated that achieving a balanced energy mix and reducing the basket price of electricity remained the foremost priority of the government.



Speaking to The Express Tribune, Muqam admitted that unannounced load-shedding was taking place, particularly in remote areas. He, however, insisted that this was due to line losses.

“It’s a simple formula – the more the line losses in any area, the higher the number of load-shedding hours there,” he added.

Muqam said in K-P, several areas were facing maximum line losses due to lack of action by the provincial government to take to task those who were involved in electricity theft.

“Had the provincial government taken action, the situation would have been different. Still, a reduction in load-shedding hours across the country has been witnessed due to the steps the federal government has taken,” Muqam claimed.

He, however, avoided commenting in detail regarding worst power outages in the Federally Administered Trial Areas and Gilgit-Baltistan – areas that fall under the purview of the federal government. “We are taking steps to respond to the situation.”