LAHORE, Oct 26: The Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) on Sunday reduced daily loadshedding by an hour and promised further reduction from Nov 1.

It also authorised the banks to revise and receive 60 per cent of the current power bills without surcharge from Monday (today).

According to a handout issued by the company, Pepco reduced the duration of daily loadshedding as a result of assured availability of 90 MMCFD gas for its plantson the orders of President

Asif Ali Zardari and additional hydel generation due to increased water flows from Mangla from 8,000 to 25,000 cusecs and resumption of operation of two power generation units at the Muzaffargarh power station.

“Pepco is expected to reduce loadshedding to pre-Ramazan schedules from Nov 1,” reads the handout.

In this regard, the help of consumers was sought for conservation of energy for reduction in demand leading to reduced power cuts, it said.

Conservation was considered very important as it would create an enabling atmosphere till the commissioning of new power plants to control power deficits for banishing loadshedding by the end of 2009, said the announcement.