News
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Load shedding burns up country* Charged protesters in various cities of all four provinces burn tyres, attack WAPDA offices and shout slogans against government over excessive power outages
LAHORE/PESHAWAR/ ISLAMABAD: People across the country on Monday continued protests against power outages.
Despite all claims, it is becoming impossible for the authorities concerned to implement the government's orders to end unscheduled load shedding across the country.
According to details, the consumption of electricity has increased to 18,600megawatts (MW) whereas the production is not more than 13,300MW due to insufficient supply of fuel and gas.
According to the National Transmission and Despatch Company Limited (NTDC) officials, construction on Muzaffargarh transmission system was in last stage, while electricity will soon be generated through Lalpir thermal power plant.
Meanwhile, protests were staged in various parts of the country, including Lahore, Peshawar and Mardan.
In Mandi Bahauddin, protesters burnt tyres and blocked the Sargodha-Gujrat Road. Electricity supply remained suspended for last four days at Mubarakpur in Bahawalpur, while the citizens staged protest demonstrations in sizzling heat.
In Multan at Purana Vehari, protesters burnt tyres and shouted slogans against the government.
In Mardan, the duration of load shedding has increased to 22 hours. The people blocked the Mardan-Gujrat Road and suspended traffic for several hours.
In Charsadda, hundreds of protesters in several areas, including Torangzai and Shabqadar, took to the streets and staged demonstrations. Some protesters also blocked the Peshawar-Charsadda Motorway near River Kabul.
The protesters demonstrated on Ring Road near Achini Bala area and blocked the road for traffic. The angry mob shouted slogans against the government and the Peshawar Electricity Supply Company (PESCO). They also staged sit-ins.
In Islamabad, a large number of people took to streets in Bhara Kahu against power outages and ransacked the IESCO office and blocked road for all kinds of traffic for several hours.
In Peshawar, the residents protested against load shedding on Motorway and blocked the road for traffic. They also ransacked vehicles and shouted anti-government slogans.
The Khyber Agency Headquarters Hospital doctors resenting the power outages and announced to go on strike for an indefinite period.
In Kohat, the angry protesters blocked the Pindi Road near the grid station and shouted slogans against the government. The situation is no better in Sindh and Balochistan, as the citizens in different cities/towns took out to streets to protest load shedding.
Despite government’s claims of curbing power outages, load shedding continued for 10/12 hours in urban areas and 16/18 hours in rural areas. In Karachi, a massive demonstration was held against prolonged load shedding and water shortage on Manghopir Road.
Water supply is suspended for several months in localities, including Islamia Colony, Mianwali Colony, Balti Mohalla, Gilgiti Mohalla and Awan Colony. agencies
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk