July 11, 2002	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 29, 1423

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window).

PESHAWAR, July 10: The Peshawar Electricity Supply Company (Pesco) has disconnected power supply to tubewells and industrial units in Mohmand agency after the expiry of deadline for installation of electricity meters.

A spokesman said Pesco had initially set July 2 as the deadline for the tribals to allow the installation of electricity meters which was later extended to July 7.

He said the deadline had been increased in view of an agreement between the tribal elders, political administration and Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) that the tribals would fully cooperate with Wapda in its campaign to instil electricity meters in the tribal area.

“But due to lack of cooperation, electricity supply to tubewells and industrial units in Ghalani bazaar, Gundaf, Mian Mandi, Lakari bazaar, Yakka Ghund, Ghaziabad and Prang Ghar has been disconnected. Power supply would not be restored till the installation of meters,” the spokesman said.

BAJAUR ALSO HIT: The spokesman said due to opposition to the installation of meters in Bajaur Agency, power supply has been disconnected to consumers in Khaar bazaar, Nawagai bazaar and the adjoining area.

The step, said the spokesman, was taken following the expiry of a deadline to tribal consumers on Monday.

Wapda says power arrears of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata) has now reached the staggering Rs13 billion mark while the tribal consumers continue to put up fierce resistance to the installation of meters. The tribal consumers are presently charged electricity bills on a flat rate. Wapda recently set up a separate power supply company for Fata.