THE Makran division holds strategic significance for the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as it is home to Gwadar and its seaport. Despite its great importance, the division is not integrated with the national grid and receives no electricity produced in Pakistan. The entire division depends on Iranian electricity, rendering Iran the authority to cut off electricity at its own discretion.

Normally, Makran receives 125MW electricity from Iran which is further divided among its three districts: Gwadar, Turbat and Panjgur. This power supply is insufficient for even one of these districts. Hence, all the areas remain out of power for most parts of the day.

Unfortunately, Iran suspended the power supply to Makran on June 6, 2020, without informing the Quetta Electric Supply Company (Qesco) and the supply remained suspended for two days. Later, it was discovered that Iran itself faced electricity shortage and was unable to meet the demands of its own people.

Consequently, there has been excessive loadshedding in the entire Makran division, which is the backbone of CPEC. Now, there is no electricity in the region during daytime. It is restored for seven hours during the night. This is taking a toll on people’s health and is affecting their routine and business activities.

The authorities concerned should devise a policy to link the Makran division to the national grid because that is the only way to ensure smooth power supply to the area.

Yousuf Wali
Turbat

OFFICIAL VEHICLES: Former prime minister Muhammad Khan Junejo had issued a policy that allowed only 1,000cc cars to all government officials. The government should follow suit and all luxury cars should be auctioned off forthwith, because they place a heavy burden on the exchequer. Besides, any official vehicle being used for unofficial purposes should be impounded.

Dr K.M. Larik
Karachi

‘CIVILISED’ WEST: With the recent news and subsequent details of more than 1,000 children having been killed in Canada, it is now clear that these ‘first world’ countries which sermonise ‘third world’ countries on civility happen to be the most uncivilised. Had such cold-blooded murders taken place in our part of the world, we would have surely been lectured to death by the West.

Tahir Hassan
Karachi

WAHI PANDHI ROAD: The road built in Wahi Pandhi of Johi taluka in Dadu is a construction failure. The contractor neither removed the illegal encroachments from the roadside nor did he demolish the existing road before constructing the new one. As a result, the new road is not only congested, but is at a level two feet above the ground. Moreover, the material used for construction is of poor quality and there is no drainage system. Consequently, the road proved to be a disaster during the rains. The same material has been used in the Wahi Pandhi to Gorakh Hill road which has also been damaged during the recent rains. The authorities should look into the matter before it is too late.

Talat Aziz
Dadu

BOTTLENECK FOR TOURISTS: Chitral Gol National Park is home to rare species, and attract a large number of local and foreign tourists throughout the year. But the road that leads to the park is in an alarming situation owing to encroachments, landsliding and poor water drainage. The authorities concerned should pay attention forthwith.

Jamshid Ahmad
Chitral

Published in Dawn, July 25th, 2021