QUETTA: Lawmakers of the Balochistan Assembly on Friday condemned massive load-shedding by Quetta Electric Supply Company (Qesco) across Balochistan, and demanded the government to reduce load-shedding hours.

They accused Qesco officials of being involved in power theft and demanded of the provincial government that officials who had been holding offices for several years should be transferred immediately.

They said the Uch Power Plant in Dera Murad Jamali was producing electricity from the gas supplied to the power plant from the Uch gas field, but the province was not getting power from it.

In a meeting with officials of Qesco, who were summoned by the Speaker Abdul Khaliq Achakzai in assembly, the lawmakers aired their grievances about Qesco’s ‘wrong-doings’, including long load-shedding hours and power theft by some of its officials.

Qesco officials accused of power theft

The MPAs, while discussing the load-shedding issue in the province in the assembly session on Thursday also, had asked the speaker to summon the Qesco Chief.

The lawmakers said that during the scorching heat when temperature is hitting around 50 degrees Celsius, load-shedding hours in Mekran, Naseerabad Division, Sibi, Kachhi and other areas should be reduced.

They further said that at least those who had paid their electricity bills should be provided with electricity.

Published in Dawn, May 25th, 2024