People belonging to various walks of life, including businessmen and students, have expressed deep concern over the poor performance of the Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda), and demanded of the Wapda Chairman to resign voluntarily for rendering pitiable services.
They alleged that the Wapda Chairman and other concerned high-ups were trying to hoodwink the consumers through their statements but the fact was that nothing had been done to overcome the electricity crisis.
Talking to media persons here on Monday, they said that the industrial sector was being adversely affected due to the unscheduled frequent load shedding, resulting in an almost complete halt to industrial activity in and around Sialkot.
Though the government was making sincere efforts for the development of industrial sector and for bringing big boom in the exports of the country, some "anti-government" lobbies were allegedly sabotaging the government's efforts and it seemed that the Wapda was the major player in this regard, they claimed.
The business community had put its heart and soul in bringing big boost in export activities, but the Wapda had failed to provide required electricity to the industrialists and business community, making it impossible for the country to achieve the export target, they said.
They alleged that the Wapda had become a "white elephant" and demanded of the government to take immediate steps and say good-bye to Wapda and save the skin the masses. They also called upon the government to take immediate practical steps for the construction of big dams like Kalabagh Dam for overcoming the severe crisis pertaining electricity.
Besides, the unscheduled load-shedding had created unrest among the students community, especially the postgraduate students, they said, and suggested that government should take immediate steps for introducing alternative sources of energy, like "solar energy" system and provide relief to the people.
The introduction of solar system would enable the people in obtaining inexpensive electricity through this system and the government should involve private sector in producing low-cost power through solar system, they further suggested.