KOHAT: The relevant officials on Wednesday said had the government provided a 2T transformer and cooling system two huge fires engulfing the Rawalpindi Road grid station here in a span of three days could have been avoided as the facility had long been overloaded.

They revealed that due to absence of air-conditioning system tripping and low voltage problems were often caused.

An official on condition of anonymity told Dawn that the fires had cost Pesco Rs180 million whereas the purchase of air-conditioning system and 2T transformers would have cost a few hundred thousand rupees.

He said the district had two federal ministers and two MPAs, but they took no interest in resolving these burning issues.

Meanwhile, electricity supply could not be resumed in large parts of the district by Wednesday evening after the grid station caught second major fire on Tuesday evening.

Though the power supply was restored to the City 1, 3, 4 and other areas, it played hide and seek throughout the day.

Yousuf Khan, president of government fruit and vegetable market, said their millions worth of merchandise were perishing due to absence of power supply since Sunday.

Meanwhile, the residents of Chakarkot and other parts of the district held protests against the electricity suspension for the fourth straight day on Wednesday.

They chanted slogans against Pesco and the local lawmakers, and complained about acute water shortage.

JOURNALISTS ROLE LAUDED: The Orakzai district administration distributed commendation certificates among journalists for spreading awareness about Covid-19 pandemic in the region.

Deputy commissioner Wasil Khan Khattak, while speaking at a ceremony, eulogised the mediapersons for removing ignorance among the people. He said journalism was the fourth pillar of the state without which the country’s development was not possible. He expressed the hope that the journalists would continue playing positive role in future.

He also visited the Hangu Press Club and talked to the journalists and acquainted himself about their problems. He assured them of his all-out cooperation.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2020