PROLONGED power outages in hot days make people irksome. Many suggestions such as setting up of tax-free solar panels, building dams and borrowing gas and oil to overcome power shortages have been made to the government. This will take time. But in the meantime we must stop widespread corruption which, for example, we witness in Larkana city: electricity theft is massive. More than 50pc homes are stealing electricity. Many homes do not have meters.

The stolen electricity is used carelessly. Airconditioners and lights remain on throughout the day. People use quilts but do not turn off the ACs.

The influential have illegally installed the lines from double feeders. When one feeder is off, they turn on the other one. Hence, the purpose of loadshedding is lost.

To make matters worse, the lineman asks for Rs1,000 for reading metres correctly.

We need to realise whatever energy will be fed into the system, it would be stolen.

The solution lies in taking strict action against corrupt individuals. Prepaid meters can be installed to limit the use.

If the government can’t handle it, then it should privatise the institution.

DR SAJID HAMEED Larkana