PESHAWAR, April 7: About 156 transformers have been burnt in Bannu due to overloading and line losses are said to be 96 per cent. This was stated by Superintending Engineer SE Shafiq Khattak during an open kutchery of Pesco circle, Bannu. He said hundreds of hooks have been detected and cases registered against them in concerned police stations. He urged the people to help devise ways and means to check power stealing. He said Wapda suffers losses worth millions and has no other option but to resort to load management schedule.

He said poor people will be given meter installation facilities on easy instalments of Rs300 per month. Illegal fines will be remitted and irresponsible officers would be dealt with severely.

The consumers were asked to pin point power stealers in their localities.

Pir Ishfaq, chairman Hydro Union and Meera Khan Xen also spoke on the occasion. Nasir Khan ex-MPA, Malik Nawab Khan, Sabir Advocate and other public representatives speaking on the occasion demanded that Wapda should resume the old procedure of remission fines as the present practice is complicated and exhausting one.

They also demanded that Wapda should make arrangements to install power meters to those who have direct lines. They also urged to check Wapda employees involved in corruption and process of power theft.

SE Wapda gave patient hearing to the problems raised by the speakers and assured immediate and concrete steps in view of their complaints and suggestions.—APP