Three Kohistan districts included in Hazesco

MANSEHRA: The Ministry of Energy has formally notified the annexation of three Kohistan districts to the newly created Hazara Electricity Supply Company (Hazesco).

“The federal cabinet, in its meeting on December 17 last year under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, approved the annexation of Upper Kohistan, Lower Kohistan, and Kolai-Palas districts with Hazesco,” said Jamil Tanoli, chairman of the Wapda Hydro Electric Union, while speaking to reporters. Tanoli added that the Ministry of Energy’s Section Officer (Corporate Affairs), Qudrat Ali Khan, has now issued a formal notification, addressing an issue that had delayed the smooth launch of the new electricity company.

“The notification also directs the relevant departments and officials to facilitate the transition and ensure the operationalisation of Hazesco,” he stated.

According to Tanoli, although Hazesco was established after completing all legal requirements, certain unresolved matters hindered its full-scale launch. He called on the federal government to allocate the promised power quota of 1,200 megawatts to free the Hazara region from power outages.

“With 100 percent recovery in the region, we can generate significant revenue if the required electricity is provided. Many mega energy projects are already operational in the Hazara division,” he explained.

The annexation of the three Kohistan districts is expected to pave the way for the functioning of power divisions in Abbottabad, Mansehra, and Kohistan. “With Hazesco’s formal launch, issues such as power outages, inflated electricity bills, and low voltage will likely be resolved in the Hazara division,” Tanoli hoped.