SINCE the onset of summer, Loralai has badly been affected by unscheduled loadshedding and low voltage. The entire area is plunged into pitch darkness, presenting a bleak and dismal picture of some haunted town at night. No timings have been specified for the loadshedding and the residents have no idea when the electricity supply will be restored, and, therefore, do not know how to plan their daily lives.

The loadshedding hits hard commercial activities in the city and affects the flow of water to the fruit orchards, which are in the midst of their peak season these days.

The constant power outages and fluctuation have damaged home appliances, causing heavy financial losses to the people.

Earlier, the electric supply used to be available for at least 12-14 hours per day, but this year the duration has been reduced to 6-8 hours. And this duration is not a single stretch, mind you; this is what we get in scattered patches. What is known for sure is that around 10.45pm, the whole district goes under a cover of complete darkness.

We approached the Qesco authorities in Loralai to get the power supply restored to those who pay electric bills regularly with no arrears against them.

If some consumers in the area are not cooperating, their lines should be disconnected immediately and others should not suffer for their fault.

We were assured that there would be no more outages or at least one-phase line would be available, and the areas paying regular bills would get uninterrupted power supply. And it did happen, but only for two days after which the situation went back to blanket loadshedding.

Will Qesco have mercy on us and provide uninterrupted electricity supply to the regular bill-payers?

Guldar Khan
Loralai

Published in Dawn, April 21st, 2021