CM Afridi seeks federal action on load shedding in KP

PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi on Monday directed the province’s power distribution companies to resolve all 1,638 pending electricity-related cases on a priority basis, expressing serious concern over unannounced load shedding, low voltage, and delays in providing electricity connections despite full payments by government departments.
The directives were issued during a high-level meeting chaired by the chief minister to review key issues facing the province’s power sector, according to an official statement issued here.
The statement said the meeting was attended by cabinet members, senior officials of the Energy Department, and representatives of the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO), Tribal Electric Supply Company (TESCO), and Hazara Electric Supply Company (HAZECO).
The chief minister said delays in providing electricity infrastructure, including poles, transformers, and new connections, despite the availability of funds and payment by government departments, were unacceptable and had delayed the operationalization of completed public welfare projects, the statement read.
He directed PESCO, TESCO, and HAZECO to immediately clear all pending cases and ensure the timely provision of electricity connections, transformers, and other essential infrastructure. He also instructed the relevant authorities to complete and operationalize all ongoing electricity schemes in the province’s hottest areas by September, while projects in the remaining districts should be completed by December.
Afridi stressed that procurement delays despite the availability of funds should not lead to unnecessary cost escalations and emphasized that public interest, merit, and transparency must take precedence over political considerations in all decisions.
The chief minister also criticized the federal government over the province’s energy issues, saying Khyber Pakhtunkhwa continues to suffer from unannounced load shedding and low voltage despite generating more electricity than it consumes.
“Khyber Pakhtunkhwa produces surplus electricity, yet its people continue to face unannounced load shedding, low voltage, and discriminatory treatment,” he said.
Afridi said the federal government had failed to improve the electricity system and had not fulfilled the province’s constitutional and financial obligations. He noted that more than Rs2.2 trillion in Net Hydel Profit remains outstanding and added that despite producing surplus natural gas, the province continues to face restrictions on CNG supplies.
He urged the federal government to address deficiencies in the power system instead of shifting the burden onto consumers and to ensure the timely payment of KP’s constitutional, financial, and energy-related dues.