Blackout: Parts of DI Khan plunge into darkness

Residents say authorities oblivious to their problems.

DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Hathalah in eastern DI Khan remained in darkness due to a fault in the main supply line.

The power outage lasted all of Tuesday night till 2pm on Wednesday when Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) fixed the fault.

Residents complained about the blackout in addition to low voltage and ‘unjust’ billing. People in and around Tank also expressed similar reservations and have been continuously protesting in the city.



Noor Zaman, an electrician in Tank, said he is “not hopeful that the city’s power woes will be resolved despite protests and complaints.” He claimed the government and Wapda are oblivious to the public’s grievances, adding: “I mostly depend on the generator for electricity because there is no other option.”

Another native of Tank district, Attaullah, said he voted for the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) “hoping that our problems will be solved, particularly regarding electricity shortage. But nothing has been done so far.” He added they have requested PTI MNA Dawar Khan Kundi – elected from Tank – “to do something” about the power shortage.

Businesses and routine life have been disturbed due to prolonged load-shedding. On Tuesday night, internet services were also beyond access in some parts of the district due to the blackout.

Villages in Tank district have been bearing the brunt of the burden as load-shedding can last up to 20 hours.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 19^th, 2013.