KARACHI, June 5: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim on Monday took strong notice of power crisis in Karachi and asked the KESC to take practical steps to overcome the same.
Addressing a high-level meeting at the CM’s House to discuss the persisting loadshedding problem, he directed the KESC to exempt water pumping stations from loadshedding so that people could not suffer on account of water shortage.
He warned that anyone found indulged in damaging or sabotaging power lines would be tried under the Anti-terrorism Act.
He held out the assurance that the government would extend all out help in overcoming the power crisis in Karachi.
He said that the purpose of privatising the KESC was to provide relief to citizens but now even the president and prime minister had taken notice of the power crisis in Karachi. He asked the KESC administration to find ways to overcome the crisis at the earliest as domestic and industrial consumers in Karachi had been facing great hardship owing to the frequent power failures.
He noted that all shops would be closed down after 8pm under the Shops Act, and directed the KESC administration to use electronic media to raise awareness of power conservation.
He also appealed to citizens to use electricity prudently, and urged every household to keep off at least one of the lights in regular use.
Dr Arbab asked the provincial industries secretary to meet industrialists and discuss the option of having holiday on alternate days, instead of Sunday. He asked the IGP to cooperate with the KESC in checking power theft in Karachi.
He asked the Member Wapda to take steps for providing additional electricity to the KESC.
He suggested that the KESC should install new transformers, and set up at least 12 more grid stations during the next year to ease out the power crisis.
On the occasion, officials of the KESC administration told the chief minister that they were taking steps to improve the utility’s performance. They assured him that steps would be taken to end loadshedding.
The chief minister also ordered action against the ‘tanker mafia’ saying that tanker operators were drawing water through illegal connections.—PPI
