Electricity Situation in Karachi Reviewed by PM
Pakistan Times National News Desk

KARACHI: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that KESC must come up to its commitment of contract for power generation and supply both to meet the immediate needs of the city as well as future requirements.

He was chairing a high level meeting at Governor House here on Friday. Prime Minister emphasized the need for better coordination amongst KESC, City Government and all the concerned departments to improve the transmission and distribution system of electricity in Karachi to facilitate the consumers.

Shaukat Aziz stressed for up-gradation and improvement in the customer services so as to ensure immediate redressal of public complaints.

In the same context, he directed the KESC management to keep the people informed of the facts and efforts being made to improve the electricity supply to the consumers.

He also underscored the need for improving the billing system so as to reduce the possibilities of inaccuracy.

The Prime Minister, however, appreciated the efforts of the KESC and City Government workers for working round-the-clock after the storm which hit Karachi and coastal areas in the past and also during the current rains to ensure supply of electricity to the people of Karachi.

Earlier, Lt.- Gen.® Amjad, Managing Director of KESC, while briefing the meeting, mentioned that an additional 80 MW of power would be made available in October this year and another 180 MW of power in March 2008 to meet the average shortage of power estimated between 250 to 300 MW.

He further apprised the meeting of the short term and long term plans of KESC including rental power projects to overcome the shortage for future needs of Karachi city.

He also mentioned that KESC is planning to install 12 grid stations and over 370 km of new transmission lines and cables in the next four months.

This would enhance the power supply with minimum line losses he added.

The meeting was attended by Sindh Governor, Dr. Ishrat-ul-Ebad Khan, Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Babar Khan Ghauri, Minister of State for Information, Tariq Azim Khan and other high officials of KESC.●