Load-shedding was also experienced in most parts of Tangi where people flayed the political leadership who turned a blind eye to the crisis. PHOTO: FILE
SHABQADAR: Residents of various parts of Charsadda experienced over 18 hours of load-shedding on the first day of Eid even though the government had vowed to provide uninterrupted power supply during the festive occasion.
Officials privy to the development told The Express Tribune Shabqadar and Tangi were most affected by prolonged power outages.
Speaking to The Express Tribune, Maqbali Khan, incharge of the grid station in Shabqadar, said they were not being allowed to provide relief from load-shedding to customers from the power distribution centre (PDC) in Peshawar.
“The PDC had only allowed us to provide relief from outages to Shabqadar Bazaar,” he said. “Meanwhile, 21 feeders were not given more than two hours of relief from load-shedding for Eid prayers.”
Allegations of mismanagement
Zubair Haleemzai, who heads a social welfare organisation, said he visited the grid station and was shocked by the level of mismanagement.
“The employees of the grid station are involved in corruption,” he said. “They must provide relief to the public – at least during Ramazan and Eid days.”
Haleemzai also urged the federal government to take notice of widespread corruption that remains rampant within the department.
He added load-shedding had been extended from 18 to 20 hours.
He said these grid station employees wield considerable power and influence and that no authority can either transfer or sack them.
“They were even arrested by National Accountability Bureau in the past, he said. “More than 300 bills of customers who used feeders in Haleemzai were paid in Fatima Khel even though the electricity was consumed in Haleemzai. This shows their level of corruption.”
Another social worker Syed Nadir Shah said Warsak Dam was constructed in the area situated between Swat and Kabul rivers while the Mohmand Dam is also under consideration.
“If the locals do not even have electricity on such holy and special occasions, how will locals allow them to build another dam in their area?” he added.
Load-shedding was also experienced in most parts of Tangi where people flayed the political leadership who turned a blind eye to the crisis.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 9th, 2016.
COMMENTS
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ