ISLAMABAD, Oct 12: The federal government has decided in principle to assign the responsibility of restoration and rehabilitation of electricity distribution network in Azad Kashmir to Wapda.

The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting on Wednes-day owing to breakdown of AJK electricity department, its distribution system and loss of lives of the department.

The AJK government normally operates distribution system in its territory on its own.

However, implementation of this decision would be made with effect from Thursday after taking AJK Prime Minister Sardar Sikandar Hayat Khan into confidence who could not be reached on Wednesday by the Water and Power Ministry.

The meeting presided over by Water and Power Minister Liaqat Ali Jatoi also decided that all resources for restoration of electricity system in earthquake hit areas of AJK would be provided by Wapda.

The Islamabad Electricity Supply Company (IESCO) and Peshawar Electricity Supply Company (PESCO) were asked to finalize arrangements in this regard by Thursday morning so that implementation could start as soon as the AJK prime minister gave a formal go-ahead.

The meeting was informed that electricity system in the NWFP and AJK had been completely damaged due to the earthquake. The AJK electricity department was currently not in a position to restore the distribution work due to severe damage to the system and loss of lives of their staff.

At this critical hour, there should be no boundaries and no administrative hurdles and Wapda companies should reach out to every part of Azad Kashmir irrespective of territorial jurisdiction, the minister emphasized.