Energy crisis: Prolonged power outages bring life to standstill in Swat

Local authorities say that RCC in Islamabad responsible

SWAT: Extended and unscheduled power outages are taking a toll on residents and businesses, bringing life to a halt in Swat. Locals are helpless against the power outages that last well over 14 hours a day.

“[Because of the power outages], we have suffered heavy financial losses and we don’t know what to do next,” Ali Rehman, a tailor in Amankot said.

Bilal, who works at a silk mill had a similar story to tell. “In two hours of work, we are only making Rs2,000 to Rs3,000 a month which cannot pay our bills. For how long can we go on borrowing money?” he said.

Professionals working in computer-related fields are facing the same issue. “On regular days, we would earn Rs2,000 to Rs4,000 which has come down to Rs200 only,” said Luqman Khan, a computer composer and designer.

Those who have arranged for generators are charging three to four times more for their services. “[A single print of a page] used to cost Rs20 but now with the generator on, the price has gone up to Rs60,” said Faisal Khan, a student who was printing an assignment at a shop.

When contacted, an official at the Mingora Grid Station, Fawad Khan, said that the power outages are observed on the directives of the Regional Control Centre (RCC) located in Islamabad and the local setup has no authority to reduce it.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 19^th, 2012.