LARKANA, July 29 The Larkana division bench of the Sindh High Court after hearing a petition regarding unscheduled power shutdowns, fluctuations, low voltage and discrimination in loadshedding, asked the Wapda's consul to submit the shutdown plan and comments on next hearing on August 12.

The bench comprised of Justice Khalid Ali Z. Qazi and Justice Khadim Hussain M.Shaikh.

A lawyer Asif Hussain Chandio had filed the petition in which Hesco chief Habibullah Khilji, managers operation-I, II, Larkana, and Wapda chairman were respondents.

The unscheduled loadshedding had severely affected patients, students and office work in Larkana, he said.

He said that Hesco people had formed a habit of resorting to unannounced loadshedding and low voltage. Voltage fluctuations were damaging electric appliance, including air-conditioners and television sets.

The worn out cables, wiring and transformers were not being replaced despite requesting the concerned authorities, said the petitioner.

He prayed the court to ask respondents for announcing loadshedding schedule and refrain from excessive loadshedding. It also called for ensured supply of required voltage and replacement of old transformers and low tension wires in Reshamgali. The consul for Wapda sought time to file comments. The Division bench asked him to submit comments and complete arguments as the case would be disposed off on 12 August.

The petitioner said that Hesco was deliberately lingering the case so as to avail enough time for improving the situation.

The case would come up for next hearing on 12 August.

PROTEST Meanwhile, the Christian Colony and Kennedy Market residents protested the burning of transformers, prolonged loadshedding and voltage fluctuations by taking out a rally on Wednesday. Ashique Abro, Zulfikar Khoso led the procession and blocked road near the Civil Lines police station.

They were chanting slogans against the indifferent attitude of Hesco officials and alleged that the burnt transformer had not been replaced even after the passage of three days.

They burnt tyres and stopped vehicular traffic.

A large number of residents near Kennedy Market in the lead of Athar Soomro divisional organiser of Jeay Sindh Qaumi Mahaz protested against the outage and inflated power bills.

However, the power situation had still not improved in Larkana. Three transformers were bunt in the Jinnah Bagh feeder and the concerned had yet not replaced them. Jinnah Bagh feeder tripped after every five to 10 minutes. The situation on other feeders was not different.

The local PPP leaders contacted the Hesco Chief, Habib Khilji and complained about the poor power supply in Larkana and its adjoining areas.

The Hesco Chief would visit Larkana on Friday and personally assess the degree of inconvenience the residents of Larkana were facing and the state of Hesco affairs that had overloaded almost all power feeders originating from 132 KV and 66 KV grid stations, said Abdul Fatah Bhutto general secretary PPP Larkana district.