People take to streets as power crisis intensifies in Punjab

LAHORE: Poor service delivery has multiplied miseries of power consumers, who have been left high and dry as a result of indifferent attitude of Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) during prolonged breakdowns.

Widespread failure of power supply in the provincial metropolis for extended duration of 12 to 18 hours has made the lives of the people a living hell. Similar situation forced people in Kabirwala and Toba Tek Singh to stage a demonstrations against the Multan Electric Power Company (Mepco) for conducting hours-long power outages.

The problem of overloading and tripping of system have become so frequent, making it a continuous source of stress for the people. People complained that billions of rupees worth Lesco augmentation plan has ignored this area, which is sheer injustice to consumers and demanded an inquiry. When contacted, Lesco management was not available for comment.

Our correspondent adds from Kabirwala: People staged a demonstration against the Multan Electric Power Company (Mepco) for conducting hours-long power outages here on Friday. A similar protest was held in Toba Tek Singh.

The protesters threw traffic out of gear by burning tyres and chanted slogans against the Mepco officials. They were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the Mepco. They said that they were fed up with frequent outages and tripping, which had made life miserable for them in the scorching heat. The protesters said they were undergoing hell for several days due to power outages.

Our correspondent adds from Toba Tek Singh: Repeated power loadshedding forced citizens from the city and its adjoining areas to stage a protest against Fesco authorities. Talking to reporters, protesters said the residents of city areas faced electricity loadshedding after every hour and in village areas the locals experienced power loadshedding for two hours after one hour of power supply.

The protesters said the power loadshedding had disturbed all businesses and power loom factories had been affected to a larger extent. The power loom owners are not meeting the demands of the orders due to power outages.