PESHAWAR, Dec 15: The Wapda has decided to extend electricity supply to only those consumers in the Federally-Administered Tribal Areas who agree to install power meters and pay charges for the utility.

This was decided at a meeting held here on Monday to discuss the electricity-related issues and problems in Fata.

The meeting, presided over by Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah, was also attended by Pesco chief executive Brig Tahir Saeed Malik, Tribal Electric Supply Company (Tesco) Chief Engineer Hidayatullah Kundi, Fata Secretary Security Brig Mehmood Shah, all political agents, respective DCOs of Frontier Regions (FRs) and other officials concerned.

On this occasion, Wapda authorities gave a detailed presentation on electricity extension and development projects in tribal areas.

It was informed that the electricity development activities in Fata would improve the operation and distribution system and accelerate the development process in these areas.

The meeting was told that several development projects were under execution besides the annual development programme.

Under the president’s special development package, electricity extension and upgradation of existing facilities in the most backward areas of Mohmand and Khyber Agencies was going on at a cost of Rs485 million, which included provision of power to Khoezai and Baizai areas, conversion of Ghallanai Grid Station, construction of new grid station at Zakhakhel and extension of electricity to other areas.

The meeting was told that 24 projects had been completed costing Rs37.2 million in the current year, whereas work on 34 more projects was in progress.

During the current financial year, an amount of Rs66 million has been made available for the electrification projects in Fata under which 77 different projects would be completed.

Moreover, Wapda has allocated Rs525 million for installation of new grid stations, whereas Rs974 million would be spent on upgrading the existing grid stations in order to improve the electricity distribution system. Three other projects are being completed under the Taimer-i-Watan Programme.

A committee was also constituted comprising representatives of Wapda, governor’s Fata secretariat and political authorities to verify on ground the development projects so far completed in the power sector in Fata. The committee would also take notice of irregularities and malpractices in these projects and submit a report in this regard.

The governor emphasized the need for resolving all issues pertaining to Wapda and electricity in the tribal areas.