MIANWALI, Jan 14: This far-flung district of the Punjab province is still facing up to 16 to 18 hours of power loadshedding daily despite the government’s announcement of carrying out just four-hour loadshedding during this month.

However, it is pertinent to mention that power loadshedding in the neighbouring Attock district is up to four hours as per the announcement while situation in Sargodha and Khushab districts is slightly better than Mianwali and Bhakkar districts.

The Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (Fesco) had also announced that there would be no power loadshedding after sunset during the sacred month of Muharram to avoid any untoward incident. This announcement too is not being implemented in this district.

Locals have regretted the discriminatory treatment meted out to them more particularly when electricity generated at Chashma’s both nuclear as well as hydel power stations in the district is illuminating other areas of the country. They said that the hours-long power outages had paralysed their routine life.

Shopkeepers are exploiting the chaotic situation and are selling candles, kerosene oil, LPG cylinders and lanterns at inflated prices without any check by the district administration.