ATTOCK, Jan 4: Long hours of scheduled and unannounced loadshedding is creating hindrance in the security arrangements as the walkthrough gates, close circuit cameras and other electronic security devices cannot function properly without the availability of electricity, it has been learnt.

Owing to a number of terrorism incidents, security cameras had been installed at jewelry shops, hotels, markets, banks and other public places besides walkthrough gates at government offices, religious places and other sensitive points to avoid any untoward incident but frequent power outage was rendering them useless.

The development was making it difficult for the law-enforcing agencies to ensure foolproof security in the city, sources told Dawn. They said the

loadshedding had caused major problems to the communication system of the police and pother law-enforcement agencies as they could not even charge their wireless sets and other communication equipment.

Because of this, the law-enforcers were relying on manual security arrangements which were ineffective in the current situation, particularly to implement the Muharram security plan, the sources maintained.

Robbers and thieves were also taking an advantage of the problems in the security arrangements and they find it easy to escape in the night darkness after committing street crimes.

The power outage was also causing problems to patients visiting and admitted to the hospitals, including District Headquarters hospital (DHQ). The patients struggle to get their X-rays and tests from laboratories.

According to the patients at DHQ hospital, the hospital despite having a generator was not catering to their needs and even scheduled operations were being postponed because of loadshedding.The frequent power breakdown was also affecting trading activities and domestic life.

Schedule of power loadshedding is not even available with the local Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) complaint office, a group of residents told this reporter.

When contacted, an official of the Iesco said loadshedding timings were being decided by the National Power Control Centre (NPCC) and that the local office was not aware of it.