PTI MNA criticises Pesco for excessive power loadshedding

PESHAWAR: Pakistan Tehreek-e- Insaf (PTI) Members National Assembly Arbab Sher Ali Shandana Gulzar and MPA Fazle Elahi, on Monday flayed the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) for the excessive electricity loadshedding in the last four days.

Speaking at a press conference they expressed frustration over the rising power outages and criticized Pesco after accusing the company of failure to honour commitments with elected representatives.

Arbab Sher Ali recalled an incident where he had installed an inaugural plaque after the bifurcation of a feeder in his constituency with the permission of senior Pesco officials.However, later in the day, he said, Pesco claimed on social media that the plaque was installed illegally despite the fact that the Pesco officials were present at the inauguration. He displayed pictures of Pesco officials accompanying him to the feeder and XEN office as evidence. The PTI leader also mentioned that Pesco had sent a letter to the Sharqi Police Station, accusing him of “meddling in government affairs” and placing an illegal signboard.

Arbab Sher Ali highlighted the long pending issue of the Regi Model Town gridstation, which had remained unresolved for 12 years. He claimed his personal intervention finally made the feeder operational.

However, he alleged that pressure from Governor Faisal Karim Kundi exerted through the presidency created misunderstanding about that issue. He accused the governor of interfering in Peshawar’s affairs, reminding him that Peshawar had its own leaders who care for the people of this city.

He announced plans to send a defamation notice to the secretary of the Power Division, the chief executive of Pesco, and other officials for their actions. Arbab Sher Ali also raised concerns about the quality of power transformers, noting that most of the faulty transformers were still under warranty while those out of warranty rarely developed faults. He suggested comparing the current rate of transformer failures with those from two years ago to assess the quality. The PTI MNA feared that the increasing power outages may lead to a law and order situation, despite their efforts to resolve the issues positively.

MNA Shandana Gulzar said KP was generating enough electricity but the province was still facing 22 hours power outages despite . She said electricity being produced in KP cost Rs 2.50 per unit but was sold to the people of the province at a rate of Rs85 per unit, which was a gross injustice.