IESCO cuts power supply to WASA

The Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) has disconnected the power supply to the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) building due to unpaid arrears amounting to Rs1 billion.

According to sources, the action follows a court decision to freeze all WASA bank accounts for failing to pay an additional Rs225 million to landowners, as mandated by the court.

The WASA building, which also houses the offices of the Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), is currently operating on generators to maintain essential functions. The power cutoff has also affected several tube wells under WASA's control, causing disruptions.

Sources said officials are working urgently to address the crisis and restore electricity. The financial woes date back to 2009, when Senior Civil Judge Javed Iqbal ordered the acquisition of 5,500 kanals of land on Adiala Road, Gorakhpur, for the construction of a sewage treatment plant.

Despite the passage of 15 years, the treatment plant remains unbuilt, and WASA has yet to settle the additional payments owed to the landowners.

WASA Managing Director Muhammad Saleem Ashraf has submitted a summary to the Punjab government, seeking additional funds to compensate the landowners.