Power situation in country to improve from Sunday: Dastgir

Islamabad: Minister for Power Khurram Dastgir has said that the power situation in country will improve from Sunday as a result of improved availability of RLNG and furnace oil to the power plants.

Addressing a news conference along with Minister of State Hashim Notezai in Islamabad on Friday, he pointed out that the country is currently facing load shedding due to shortage of fuel and closure of certain power plants owing to maintenance and technical faults.

The Minister said steps have been taken at the power distribution companies to ensure that the situation does not deteriorate further during the days of Eid ul Fitr. He said the Discos have been asked to ensure availability of extra transformers to meet with any situation.

Khurram Dastgir said we are also watching the revenue targets of Discos and request will also be made to the law enforcement agencies to check power pilferage.

The Minister said there has arisen an additional demand of two to three thousand megawatt electricity during the last few days which increased the demand and supply gap.  

He said the problem in Pakistan is not of electricity generation but of availability of fuel. He said availability of gas will start from Sunday while of coal will begin the next week which will help overcome the shortage of electricity.

Khurram Dastgir said Thar coal and Port Qasim coal plants will begin working from Sunday.

He said the hydel generation of electricity will begin in June significantly improving electric supply.