Long hours of power outages force public to protest

Rawalpindi

Public became violent after facing long hours of power breakdown as Chakwal, Chakri and Adiala grid stations once again developed fault. The consumers of affected localities Saturday strongly protested amid hot and humid weather and water shortage due to long hours of power breakdown.

The residents of Rawat, Soan, Adiala Road, Kallar, Morgah, Gulistan Colony, Chakri and several other areas faced long hours of power breakdown due to stoppage of Chakwal, Chakri and Adiala grid stations. The light disappeared at about 4:00 am morning not came back till the filing of this report. While, consumers of some of other localities faced darkness whole night due to major faults in grid stations.

Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) Sub Divisional Officer (SDO) Adiala Muhammad Ali told ‘The News’ that Chakwal, Chakri and Adiala grid stations have developed faults therefore consumers have to face power breakdown. The technical staff is trying to resolve this matter, he claimed. He also said that they have started electricity in some of areas after resolving the problem.

It seems that Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco) is only focusing on registering baseless FIRs against consumers rather than providing electricity in hot and humid weather. The concerned officials of Iesco are only doing paper work to make up their deficiencies in front of Water and Power minister.

The residents of affected localities faced worst kind of water shortage as there was no water at all filtration plants.

Muhammad Nadeem Khokhar, a resident of Gulistan Colony said that water was not available from tankers as well due to long hours of power breakdown. “We are continuously visiting complaint office to know when electricity will come but in vain, he added.

The complaint centre staff of affected localities on condition of anonymity said that unfortunately they are facing public pressure and are totally helpless in this situation. High ranking officials are enjoying in air-conditioned rooms while they have left us to face public abuse, they said.

The residents of affected areas have appealed to the authorities concerned to make proper arrangements to avoid faults in grid stations as they are facing severe weather.