Mass misery: No respite – IESCO as helpless as citizens

Chronic power outages halt routine life in Rawalpindi.

RAWALPINDI:

Constant unscheduled load-shedding, hitting 16 hours a day, has brought everyday life to a standstill in the garrison city.

The prolonged power outages have made people’s lives miserable with the scorching May heat and deadly mosquitoes.

Businesses specifically dependant on electricity are equally adversely affected with backup power systems unable to cope with the outages.

“We are forced to spend sleepless nights outside our homes, on rooftops and terraces, constantly being bitten by mosquitoes,” said Asif, a resident of Chaklala Scheme III.



The residents of Rawalpindi and adjoining areas said the government is tormenting the public both physically and mentally through so many hours of load-shedding, adding that the situation was never this bad.

“I have to work all day but could not sleep at night due to power cuts,” said Sultan, a daily wager. He said he did not know what he would do during the peak season in June and July.

“The government should take immediate measures to overcome the crisis as it is making people mentally sick,” he added.

“We are regular bill payers despite having no electricity most of the day. Even then the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO) is sending inflated bills which is completely unjust,” said Waseem, a resident of Khanna Pul. He further said that before the timings use to be set and scheduled but now it is completely haphazard and random, with electricity disappearing for even eight to 10 hours at a stretch.



With the rise in mercury level and increase in duration of load shedding, water shortage has hit the city’s residents hard, adding to their woes. The residents complained against officials of Water and Sanitation Authority (Wasa) for making excuses whenever they are called for sending a water tanker as tube-wells could not be operated due to power outages and low voltage.

Students having their intermediate exams are also suffering at the hands of load-shedding with many taking hand fans with them into the examination halls as there is rarely any electricity during the exam.

“It is impossible to study and prepare for examination properly due to extreme power outages and unbearable heat,” said Zalaan Ahmad, an intermediate student.

Students also complained about unavailability of water in the examination halls, saying they are forced to drink hot and contaminated water from the water tanks. “The education department should at least ask the IESCO to exempt halls from power outages,” demanded students.

An operator at IESCO complaint cell, who refused to identify himself, said he was flooded with complaints daily. “What can I do? I cannot solve their problem,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 25^th, 2013.