GWADAR: Most areas of Balochistan’s Makran division plunged into darkness on Saturday after Iran suspended the power supply, according to officials.

The supply was stopped after Iran’s local consumption increased due to hot weather, which also affected three districts of Makran — Gwadar, Kech and Panjgur.

The power supply from both 132kV Jaki-gur Mand and 132kV Bolan-Jawani transmission lines from Iran was suspended at 11pm, said a spokesman for the Quetta Electricity Supply Company (Qesco), which provides power to the province.

The spokesperson added that power supply to Tump, Hoshab, Turbat, Panjgur, Jewani, Pasni, Ormara and Gwadar have been suspended. The Gwadar International Airport and port are also without power.

Qesco officials are constantly in contact with the Iranian authorities for the restoration of power supply to the Makran division.

The MPA from Gwadar, Maulana Hid­ayatur Rehman Baloch, appealed to the government to take up the issue with Iranian authorities.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2024