The Minister for Water and Power, Liaquat Ali Jatoi, has grilled the officials of Wapda and power distribution companies (Discos) over unannounced load-shedding in the country, which brought embarrassment for him in the National Assembly.
"I will not spare whosoever will be found responsible for committing unannounced load-shedding, which is earning bad name for the government," he said at a meeting here on Saturday. The meeting was called to review power availability, which is a major concern.
Sources told Business Recorder that the minister was extraordinarily angry, and as soon as he entered the committee room, he said, "There is no need of 'Salam/Dua' and welcome remarks. Tell me what is happening in the power sector and who is responsible for this situation."
Sources said that as the officials, including Secretary, Water and Power, Ashfaq Mahmood, Ministry's Advisor Riaz Ahmad Khan, Irsa Chairman, Member Power, Wapda, Khalid Anwar, CEOs of Discos, Gencos and NTDC looked at the face of the Minister, they all fainted, and no one appeared in a position to speak.
They said that the officials might never have faced such dishonour during their career which they tasted in this meeting, and even some of them were heard saying in the corridors of Block A that it was better to quite the job.
The minister conveyed to the chiefs of distribution and generation companies to deliver as per his aspirations, otherwise they would be replaced with private sector experts.
Sources said that Wapda officials were of the view that tripping and minor faults in the system were the main reason for power shutdowns, but the minister did not agree with their arguments, saying that there would be no emergency shutdown without prior approval by higher authorities.
He further directed that the consumers should be informed well in time before any shutdown for maintenance, and added that all Discos should keep close liaison with the Ministry's Complaint Cell.
He said that responsible SEs, XENs and SDOs of the area would be taken to task for unannounced load-shedding in their areas. The Minister was also informed by some of the Chiefs of Discos that similar action has already been taken against concerned SEs, XENs and SDOs on charges of load-shedding and negligence.
A press release issued after the meeting said that the minister directed the Discos to utilise their all available resources to reduce line losses and expedite recovery campaign against all defaulters.
However, he directed that no disconnection, due to non-payment, would be made in this season without prior notice of seven days. He also directed power generation companies (Gencos) to run all power plants at full capacity and avoid long shutdowns due to minor faults.
Member, Power, Wapda, Khalid Anwar, in his briefing, said that the country was producing about 11943 MW and there would be surplus electricity after one week due to full capacity of power plants and increase reservoirs inflows.
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