NWFP fearing public uprising over power cut, sends SOS to Centre

Statesman Report

PESHAWAR: The provincial government of NWFP has discussed the expected law and order situation arising due to the electricity shortage in the province with the centre.

The intelligence agencies and the commissioners of all the seven divisions of NWFP have sent their reports to the provincial government in which it was stated that law and order situation could worsen in the province after long hours of load-shedding from PESCO, while extremists could also attack government property by taking advantage of the darkness at night, reports Online.

According to reports several militant plans to blow up electricity pylons and main towers at night were foiled by the agencies and some suspected militants were also arrested in this regard.

The sources said that after these reports the provincial government has sent a report to the PM Secretariat and Ministry of Water and Power to solve the issue of load-shedding in order to avoid any untoward incident.

Meanwhile, Aaj TV says the electricity consumers will have to suffer prolonged power outrage as the power shortfall reached 4,600 megawatts on Saturday, sources told Aaj News.

Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco) sources said that total demand of power was 13,026MW, while power supply stood at 9,426MW across the country. He said the gap between demand and supply could rise due to water shortage in reservoirs and it would affect power consumers more severely in June.

The Power and Water Ministry officials said hydel production also went down by 5000MW with increased demand as the mercury is still rising to higher level.

The officials further said the water inflow at dams is expected to increase next month which would help decrease the load shedding durations.