October 16, 2008	Thursday	Shawwal 16, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Oct 15: Minister for Water and Power Raja Pervaiz Ashraf on Wednesday warned all power distribution companies that unannounced loadshedding in any part of the country would not be tolerated.

The minister was presiding over an emergency meeting held here as power shortage crossed 4,500 megawatts (MW), including 850MW faced by Wapda and 900MW by private producers. Most cities witnessed over 10-hour loadshedding and the situation was worse in rural areas.

Meanwhile, on directives issued by the minister on Tuesday, the Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) fired four officials — Thermal Power Generation General Manager Chaudhry Abdul Ghafoor, Procurement Adviser Khalid Javed, Islamabad Regional Power Centre Consultant Malik Ijaz Ahmed and National Power Control Centre GM Imtiaz Majeed.

The officials had completed their employment terms, but Pepco had extended their services.

According to a handout, Mr Ashraf assigned different responsibilities to Pepco officials and said management failure would not be tolerated.

The minister directed the officials to avoid unannounced loadshedding. But if it becomes unavoidable, the chief executive officer of the distribution company concerned would inform people of the reason.

It was decided that load management would be implemented across the board without any favouritism. However, essential industries and installations of national importance would be exempted.

It was also decided that coordination between the National Power Control Centre (NPCC) and distribution companies would be ensured. The water ministry’s additional secretary was appointed the “focal person” and distribution companies were told to nominate officials for the purpose.

The “focal person” will monitor load management and update the minister.

Load management committees at the distribution companies’ level will meet every week to work out the quantum of loadshedding.

It was decided that the relevant staff should be available in their offices to deal with any problem and inform people about the situation.

The minister constituted a committee to oversee the annual maintenance requirements of Pepsi’s plants and independent producers. Pepco’s general manager (thermal) would coordinate between power producers and agencies concerned.

The meeting was informed that drastic reduction in outflow from the Tarbela and Mangla reservoirs and gas cut for maintenance had aggravated the power crisis. Some power plants are also undergoing annual maintenance.

The minister said all plants should be reactivated as soon as possible.