Financial Crunch: Power plants threaten shut down

QUETTA: Due to non-payment of outstanding dues by the Balochistan government, several small diesel power generating plants in remote areas of Balochistan have warned that they will shut down their power supply to the Quetta Electric Supply Company (Qesco) by May 20, according to a Qesco press release issued here on Friday.

“Balochistan government owes Rs 1.15 billion to these power plants,” the release said, adding that due to the non-payment of utility bills and issue of subsidy to tube wells in Balochistan, Qesco was facing severe financial constraints.

The provincial government has been informed about the situation, the release added.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 14^th, 2011.