Unannounced Load-Shedding Amid Scorching Heat Unacceptable: PMML

LAHORE:Pakistan Markazi Muslim League (PMML) spokesperson Dr Muzammil Iqbal Hashmi has strongly criticised the continued unannounced load-shedding across the country, saying prolonged power outages during the night amid intense heat have made life increasingly difficult for citizens.
Dr Hashmi said reports of hourly power cuts in Lahore and several other cities were causing serious hardship to children, elderly people, patients, students and the business community. He questioned the government’s earlier claims that electricity generation was sufficient and that the growing use of solar systems had created surplus power.
“If electricity is available in surplus, the government must explain why consumers are facing repeated outages. If there is a shortage, the public should be informed of the actual situation,” he said.
He said operating power plants below capacity, shortages of gas and oil and disruptions in RLNG supplies reflected weaknesses in energy planning and management. The government, he added, had repeatedly promised to end load-shedding, yet consumers were now experiencing a situation where electricity was available for shorter periods and outages were becoming more frequent.
Dr Hashmi said consumers were already paying high electricity bills and should not be subjected to prolonged and unannounced outages as well.
He urged the government to take immediate steps to end unannounced load-shedding and ensure a reliable power supply, particularly during the ongoing hot weather.