Leghari has mandated an urgent improvement in the performance of power distribution companies to reduce load-shedding durations across the country
Islamabad: Minister Leghari Orders Power Distribution Overhaul to Combat Load-Shedding. Minister for Power Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari has mandated an urgent improvement in the performance of power distribution companies to reduce load-shedding durations across the country.
Speaking at a press conference in Islamabad today, Leghari instructed the companies to publicly disclose detailed reports of electricity demand and supply on a daily basis. He emphasized that management changes are imminent, promising the replacement of current personnel with more competent staff.
Leghari identified high-loss feeders, technical faults, and electricity theft as primary causes of power outages. He assured that efforts are underway to gradually revamp the system and address these issues.
The Minister highlighted a current shortfall of 4,232 megawatts, with high-loss feeders struggling to cope. Specifically, he noted 150 loss-making feeders in Punjab, 700 in Sindh, 350 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and around 80 in Balochistan, all slated for overhaul.
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Despite the challenges, Leghari assured that the country has sufficient electricity generation capacity to meet demand this summer and into the next year.
Minister of State for Power Ali Pervaiz Malik echoed these sentiments, urging the public to help identify instances of power theft, which he described as crucial for overcoming load-shedding.
Minister Leghari Orders Power Distribution Overhaul to Combat Load-Shedding
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PM seeks better handling of power outages in KP
A day after the centre pledged to the chief minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Ali Amin Gandapur to reduce power loadshedding across the province, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the authorities concerned to ensure better load management and provide relief to those braving scorching summer without electricity for hours.
However, PM Shehbaz made it clear that the government would deal sternly with power thieves, and the ongoing operation against them would be taken to its logical conclusion.
Presiding over a meeting on load management and power theft, the premier vowed to conduct a monthly review of the power theft situation and asked the provincial governments, law enforcement agencies, and other departments to extend their support in the anti-power theft drive, in the national interest and for the country’s progress.
The prime minister told the meeting participants that the government would not tolerate over-billing in any way. He also ordered the relevant authorities to accelerate the privatisation of power distribution companies by engaging experts and formulating a strategy to solarise tube wells in Balochistan.
During the briefing on load management and power theft, it was explained that under a joint strategy formulated following a conversation between KP CM Gandapur and federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Leghari, it had been agreed to reduce power loadshedding along with line losses and ensure recovery of dues from defaulters in the province.
