ISLAMABAD: While announcing measures to reduce loadshedding through increased power generation in the next 48 hours, the Minister for Water and Power, Syed Naveed Qamar, on Tuesday lashed out at the Punjab government for “exploiting the situation” which, he said, had caused problems for people in the province.
Mr Qamar claimed at a late-night press conference that the first target, of containing the loadshedding, had been achieved.
Flanked by Petroleum Minister Dr Asim Hussain, Finance Minister Dr Hafeez Shaikh and Information Minister Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan, he said electricity generation had risen to 12,400MW from 9,000MW over the past few days and unannounced loadshedding had been brought under control.
“Power generation will rise to 14,000MW over the next 48 hours, the amount normally generated in summers,” Mr Qamar said.
He said key reasons for the current crisis were fuel shortage for thermal power plants, tripping at Chashma nuclear power plant and low hydel power generation because water was not required in large quantities by the farm sector.
Mr Qamar said a sudden increase in temperature had aggravated the situation.
“Usually the weather is a bit cool in October but this time due to high temperature the electricity demand has also increased.”
The minister, while expressing sympathy with the people who had suffered because of prolonged loadshedding, took the opportunity to criticise the PML-N and said the provincial government had instigated riots in Punjab.
“We all do politics but exploiting any situation for point scoring and creating troubles for the masses is not fair,” he said.
He said a new policy was being prepared to improve bill collection and reforms would be implemented soon in ten generation and distribution companies.
The minister said circular debt was a serious issue but it would be resolved as efforts were being made to improve the collection mechanism.
“We have been discussing it even with the donor agencies,” he said.
Mr Qamar said all the dues of Sindh had been settled and the issues with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government would be worked out soon.
Regarding, outstanding dues on key government offices and departments, the minister said there were no sacred cows in the country.
“Even the PM’s House or the Presidency will have to pay their electricity dues. It is a clear directive now that power supply of any defaulter, including myself, will be disconnected.”
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