CM Afridi incensed by unscheduled load-shedding

Demands Center honour K-P's rights as public suffers despite surplus power production

PESHAWAR:

Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Monday chaired an important meeting to review unscheduled load shedding, low voltage problems, delays in electricity supply, and other energy sector issues.

The meeting was attended by relevant cabinet members, senior officials of the Energy Department, and high-level representatives from Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO), Tribal Electric Supply Company (TESCO), and Hazara Electric Supply Company (HAZECO).

During the meeting, Chief Minister Afridi expressed displeasure over the ongoing unscheduled load shedding, low voltage, delays in power connections, and the failure to energise completed development projects, which are causing immense difficulties for the people.

He directed the authorities to resolve all 1,638 pending electricity-related cases on a priority basis at the earliest. The Chief Minister also voiced serious concern that, despite full payments by government departments, the timely supply of electricity poles, transformers, and other essential equipment has not been ensured, leaving many completed development schemes non-functional.

He described the delay in electricity provision despite receipt of funds as unacceptable and a clear wastage of public resources.

Chief Minister Afridi instructed PESCO, TESCO, and HAZECO to clear all pending cases immediately and ensure timely provision of new electricity connections, transformers, and other necessary facilities.

He emphasised that all decisions and actions by the departments must prioritise public interest, justice, and merit instead of political considerations.

The Chief Minister directed the relevant departments to complete ongoing electricity schemes in severely hot areas by September this year and in other regions by December, so that people could get timely relief.