Load-shedding on rise, tussle between govt, power producers intensifies: Zahid

President Pakistan Businessmen and Intellectuals Forum (PBIF), President AKIA, Senior Vice Chairman of the Businessmen Panel of FPCCI Mian Zahid Hussain on Friday said the government has increased the duration of load-shedding across the country which has added to the miseries of the masses.

Authorities have repeatedly claimed that load-shedding would be wiped out but the situation on the ground is contrary to the slogans, he added.

Mian Zahid Hussain said that ministry of water and power has said that load shedding in the urban areas have been increased by one hour while the load shedding in the rural areas has been increased by two hours but independent experts have questioned the claim.

He said that demand for electricity in 14800 megawatts excluding Karachi but the supply stands at 9700 megawatts while theft and losses continue to take toll on the situation.

Total demand in the country is said to be 17500 megawatts while shortfall is around 5000 megawatt excluding Karachi, the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, he added.

Mian Zahid Hussain said that load shedding will increase by the passage of time as the tussle between power producers and government has intensified on account of unpaid dues.

He said that power producers are demanding payment of dues while the government is reluctant to pay few trillion rupees to IPPs as it will widen the deficit, which is aggravating the situation.

The blame game should end immediately so that the private powerhouses can operate with full capacity to reduce the sufferings of the masses, he demanded.

The government should take steps to ensure power generation at full capacity and address the issue of power producers otherwise masses will have to brave additional load shedding in the sizzling summer.