In a press conference held here in Karachi the Federal Minister for Energy, Khurram Dastgir Khan has categorically said that supply of free electricity was not possible and recovery of electricity bills is vital for government owned distribution companies as well as for K-Electric to sustain. He was addressing a high level press conference in Karachi after his visit to areas effected by cyclone Biparjoy.
Federal Minister also said that power distribution network was working as normal and there was no major disruption caused by the cyclonic storm Bibarjoy in supply of electricity. The cyclone has landed, and its severity has been decreasing gradually while supply of electricity was continue as per routine in the most of the areas, Khurram Dastgir said.
Adding further he also mentioned that there was no load shedding for 70 percent areas in Karachi, including the industries at the moment have been receiving uninterrupted power supply.
“The cyclonic storm Biparjoy did not affect power supply in Karachi except a disruption for four hours that was caused due to issues in supply of LNG to power generation units”, he informed and said, “but the issue was immediately addressed by provision of 100 mmcfd gas from the national network”.
The minister sated that on directives of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif a comprehensive strategy was formulated at national level for ensuring safety of people and supply of electricity in vulnerable areas in wake of potential emergency situation due to cyclonic storm Biparjoy.
Over 2000 personnel from different power distribution companies including GEPCO, LESCO, MEPCO and SEPCO were deployed in Southeastern districts of Sindh on emergency basis along with vehicles and necessary equipment, he informed.
Sindh government has extended the fullest cooperation in the regard and a close coordination was being maintained among all the stakeholders while technical teams deployed at generation plants and grid stations were on high alert for ensuring electricity supply, the minister said.
