Energy crisis: ‘Power cuts are like a disease’

Main transformer of Hangu Grid Station has been out of order for a week.

Power cuts have become a disease in the lives of people in Hangu District, said Member National Assembly (MNA) Pir Haider Ali Shah, according to a press release issued by the National Press Club on Wednesday.

The main transformer for Hangu Grid Station has been out of order for a week after being struck by lightning and despite repeated requests, the PESCO chief has not paid any attention to the people’s suffering.

All hospitals, mosques, schools and markets have been closed due to the unavailability of electricity and the ensuing water shortage, while the PESCO chief said repairing the transformer will take more than a week, Shah said.

“Hangu is among the worst affected areas. Suicide attacks took hundreds of lives, but the brave people are still ready to sacrifice for their country. Unfortunately, the government does not seem to be making efforts to ease the suffering of the people.”

He said he had informed the ANP, the ruling party in K-P, about the problem, and if the problem is not solved, he will resign from his post and will go on hunger strike in front of Parliament.

He further appealed to president and prime minister to take notice and solve Hangu’s power nightmare.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 24^th, 2012.