TIMERGARA: Power consumers of Adenzai and Talash have demanded of the federal government and the high ups of Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) to upgrade the Chakdara grid station to rid them of low voltage and frequent power tripping.

Talking to Dawn, they complained that majority of feeders connected to Chakdara grid station were overloaded and the consumers faced problems because of low voltage and power tripping.

They said grid officials had no option but to stop power supply to consumers of different areas in Adenzai and Talash. “On one hand we are being subjected to routine power outage, on the other, we are facing extra loadshedding because of overloaded transformers at the grid station,” Muhammad Ibrahim, president of Talash Dushkhel Qaumi Jirga said, adding that was why the people of Adenzai and Talash had been opposing linking Shamozai Swat feeder to Chakdara grid station.

“We have no drinking water at homes and mosques as due to low voltage water supply schemes cannot run,” Malik Taj Mohammad, a local resident.

The people said the transmission line supplying electricity to the most populous areas like Ouch, Talash and Badwan was outdated, adding electronic appliances like refrigerators, washing machines and television sets were burnt due to low voltage and tripping.

An official at Chakdara grid station told Dawn that they had to stop power supply on certain feeders because of overloading. He said the government should expedite work on Thana and Barikot Swat grid stations to lessen the load on Chakdara grid station.

‘NEGATIVE POLITICS’: Advisor to the prime minister and PML-N leader Engr Ameer Muqam on Sunday criticised PTI chairman Imran Khan and JI chief Sirajul Haq for ‘promoting’ negative politics in Pakistan.

He was addressing party workers here on Sunday on his return from Chitral district. Earlier, Mr Muqam visited houses of the deceased party workers, Riaz Khan and Junaid Shiekh, and offered condolences with the bereaved families.

He said the JI chief should investigate the allegations leveled against minister for finance Muzafar Syed instead of launching a corruption-free Pakistan campaign.

He said PTI chief Imran Khan had ‘ignored’ Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from where the people had voted his party to power.

He said Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had approved Rs27 billion for construction of Chakdara-Chitral highway. He said the PM had also approved Rs500 million for the flood-affected areas of Chitral.

Earlier, during a visit to Lowari Tunnel, Mr Muqam said the project would be complete by end of the current year instead of March 2017, said an official statement issued in Peshawar.

Published in Dawn, July 11th, 2016