By: Aftab Hussain
Residents of Shangla district are up in arms against the severe load shedding, which has become a norm in the area. Despite generating 85 megawatts of electricity from the Khan Khwar Dam, Shangla only requires 6-7 megawatts to meet its local needs. However, the district faces power outages exceeding 12 hours, causing immense difficulties for the residents. The power crisis in Shangla is attributed to various factors, including. Inadequate infrastructure: The existing power infrastructure is unable to meet the growing demands of the region.
Inefficient distribution: High technical losses and low recovery rates plague the distribution companies, contributing to the power shortage.
Lack of effective policy: The absence of a coherent energy policy has hindered the development of the power sector in Shangla.
The prolonged power outages have severe consequences for the residents, including:
Water scarcity: The lack of electricity affects the functioning of water supply systems, leading to acute water shortages in various areas.
Disruption of businesses: The power outages have a debilitating impact on local businesses, causing significant economic losses.
Hardship for daily life: The residents face immense difficulties in their daily lives, with many essential services and amenities affected by the power cuts.
The residents of Shangla are demanding that the authorities take immediate action to address the power crisis. They are seeking:
Improved power infrastructure*: The residents want the authorities to upgrade the existing power infrastructure to ensure a stable and reliable power supply.
End to discriminatory treatment: They demand an end to the discriminatory treatment meted out to Shangla, ensuring that the district receives its fair share of electricity.
Implementation of promises: The residents expect the elected representatives to fulfill their promises of providing electricity from local sources, such as hydropower projects, to meet the district’s needs.
The residents are urging WAPDA and other relevant authorities to review their policies and ensure that Shangla receives its rightful share of electricity. The situation demands immediate attention, and the authorities must take concrete steps to address the power crisis and provide relief to the residents of Shangla.
