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KARACHI, May 5: Unannounced loadshedding by the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation continued in many areas of the city on Sunday, as the temperature remained high at 36.3 degrees Centigrade.
KESC sources told Dawn that power complaints were received from Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Federal B. Area, Lyari, Gadap, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, North Nazimabad, New Karachi, Bihar Colony and Nazimabad.
Calling from F.B. Area, Block 19, Rahat Siddiqui said that most people look forward to Sundays to relax and spend some time with the family.
“The KESC seems bent upon spoiling people’s fun on Sundays as we had a power breakdown which lasted from 9am to 4pm. Since it was too hot without electricity, I woke up as soon as the power went off. I have the KESC to thank for spoiling my whole Sunday.”
Another resident of F.B. Area, Block 12, phoned the Dawn office to express resentment over the unannounced loadshedding by the KESC, wondering why the country which had acquired nuclear power failed to make a system strong enough to withstand the affects of heat.
A consumer of a commercial building on Tariq Road told Dawn that the entire building had been without electricity for the past eight days.
A resident of Buffer Zone, Sector 15-A-5, told Dawn that he had been without electricity since Zuhar prayers.
“For a while power supply was restored, but it was quickly followed by another power failure,” he said.
A student from Orangi Town called the Dawn office to say that during examination days, the KESC should refrain from power shutdowns which makes it extremely difficult for students to study with peace of mind.
“A large number of students are taking the Inter exams these days. Their future depends on the examination result.
“If they don’t obtain good marks, they won’t be able to achieve their goals. The KESC seems totally oblivious of this fact.”
MEETING: The Karachi Electric Supply Corporation Managing Director, Brig Tariq Saddozai, has promised an increase in pay and benefits if employees help reduce cases of power theft and cut transmission and distribution losses, adds APP.
Speaking to staff members at the Civic Centre on Saturday, he said that the management was holding direct meetings with the staff and officers of different departments.
He urged the staff of complaint centres to remain alert and quick in redressing public complaints.
Brig Saddozai told the utility employees that the management had an open mind about providing substantial benefits to the employees, but the corporation’s losses due to power theft made the proposal weak.
It was the duty of all KESC employees to make efforts to eliminate power theft and decrease T&D losses.
“Once the losses are overcome, the pay and benefits to employees will be raised,” he said.
