Peshawar Electricity Supply Company (Pesco) has an outstanding amount of Rs 156 million in the head of providing three months free electricity to the quake-hit areas in the province. It has demanded of the government to compensate the electric power entity.
The disastrous earthquake of 8th October 2005 caused massive devastation in the northern parts of NWFP and damaged the whole power distribution system of Pesco in addition to huge human and property losses.
Restoration of electricity was not an easy task and it was anticipated that at least four months were required for restoration of power but Pesco engineers and workers worked day & night and restored the electricity in record short time, which was appreciated by all, at government and public levels.
It is worth mentioning here that the Pesco Chief Executive Brigadier Sakhi Marjan himself monitored the rescue work in the quake-affected areas.
The company had faced millions of rupee technical and infrastructure loss and spent millions of rupees on immediate rehabilitation of distribution system in quake hit areas. Pesco is still facing huge financial losses due to increased line losses while the recovery has been affected badly.
Furthermore, Rs 156 million are outstanding against consumers of quake hit areas for provision of three months free electricity, announced by the Government of Pakistan in order to provide relief to the victims of earthquake. The Government of Pakistan is being requested for payment of amount incurred on the provision of three months free electricity to quake hit areas.
Pesco staff of Mansehra Division, Pesco Customer Services Center established at Mansehra, Wapda Thakot Grid, and Balakot Grids are still working and serving the consumers in tents and temporary shelters. Efforts are also in hand to reconstruct Pesco buildings for different offices in quake-hit areas so that routine work and office management may continue smoothly and consumers are provided best possible facilities.