With the rise of temperature in various parts of the country, the electricity shortfall has soared up to 6,000 megawatts, promoting unscheduled load shedding from 12 to 16 hours a day. The officials put the electricity demand at 19,000 megawattagainst overall power supply of around 13,500 megawatt, suggesting a shortfall of 5,500 megawatt.The gap is filled through so-called load management as old age supply system also needs to be protected which causes up to 18 percent line losses. Some sources suggest the country produces less than 13,000 megawatt electricity and only 10,000 megawatt actually reaches the consumers.It is believed some government places and the industries owned by powerful politicians are immune to any load shedding schedule and only commoners are the victims of every trouble. Electricity generation is the task which needs to be done on priority basis and even the present government came to power with a promise that it will end load shedding within three years. However, the government has completed three years in the office, but there is no letup in the people’s woes. They continue to suffer in winter in the name of shortage of water and in summer due to raise in electricity consumption.
The pathetic part of the situation is that no data is available to ascertain the exact figures of electricity generation, line losses and consumption. Sources suggest everything is a guess work. The power supply system is not overhauled in parts of the country which also causes interruption and losses. Over three years of the present government has passed and it is still feeding the nation on empty rhetoric and false promises. In this situation, the field staff has to set priorities for distribution of electricity to various parties of the country. Many feeders where shut down last year due to less electricity generation and more demand for supply. Various cities of the country are facing unusual rise in temperature which is recorded at 47 degrees Celsius in Sibbi, Bhakkar, Rahimyar Khan and Khanpur and 46 degree Celsius in Dadu, Bahawalpur, Bhawalnagar, Larkana, Sukkur and Shorkot this month. The met offices predict rising temperature in coming weeks and demand for electricity will further increase in urban and rural areas of the country. The industry is already facing worst kind of load shedding, slashing the output to minimum level. However, the government should have to clear its mind that it is responsible for electricity generation and its distribution. And it is the government which has to resolve the issue.
