TOBA TEK SINGH: Work is in full swing on an emergency basis for the rehabilitation of the power sector and to cope with the current situation being faced by the sector. The LNG supply will not only improve the power supply in the country but also help the government overcome the power crisis.

Federal Minister for Energy (Power Division) Khurram Dastgir said this during his visit to the Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) Headquarters on Friday.

He said that after the supply of LNG and furnace oil from the Ministry of Petroleum, more gas would be available which would significantly reduce load management in the next few days.

He expressed satisfaction over the overall performance of Fesco, and said that in view of the current situation, Fesco officials had to work harder, diligently and enthusiastically so that not only Fesco but also the power sector could overcome the difficult situation.

Fesco Chief Executive Officer Engr Bashir Ahmed said Fesco’s recovery was 100pc, but its line losses were the lowest as the target set by Nepra which reflected the hard work of the staff.

He said Fesco’s upgraded distribution system could carry the maximum load during the summer season. He said Fesco had provided 256 transformer trolleys in all subdivisions with the aim of restoring the power supply immediately in case of any fault in the transformer.

He said Fesco had set up a state-of-the-art customer service centre for instant solutions to consumers’ electricity-related issues.

Similarly, Fesco has introduced a mobile App called ‘FESCO Light’ for online information and registration of consumers’ complaints, he added.

The minister said due to the wrong policies of the previous government, we had to face this day and loadshedding was taking place across the country. Due to the unavailability of fuel, power was not being generated as per demand and as a result, consumers were facing load management.

Mr Dastgir said the coalition government was trying its best to solve the problems being confronted by the public. He said the revenue targets of all distribution companies were also being reviewed.

“We’re the public representatives and our aim is to resolve the grievances of the distribution companies and to improve their performance,” he said, adding that at present the circular debt is about Rs2.45 trillion.

When the PML-N left the government in 2018, the circular debt was only Rs1.06 trillion and at that time loadshedding was zero but at present, circular debt has more than doubled. He said an increase in heat intensity was also likely to increase hydropower generation.

HONOUR KILLING: A man killed his son in law’s father for honour on Friday afternoon at Pirmahal in Chak 673/14-GB.

According to the Pirmahal police, Ijaz Hussain’s daughter Hira Parveen contracted court marriage with Akhtar Ali, of the same village. To take revenge, Ijaz attacked the house of Akhtar and opened indiscriminate firing as a result Ali’s father Talib Hussain was injured critically. He was rushed to Pirmahal THQ Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds.

The police have arrested Ijaz.

Published in Dawn,May 21st, 2022