Peshawar (Pakistan Desk) – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Muhammad Sohail Afridi has said that the federal government should address flaws in its system instead of shifting the burden onto the public.
A meeting chaired by the Chief Minister discussed unannounced load shedding, low voltage issues, and energy-related matters. During the meeting, he expressed serious concern over the electricity situation, delays in projects, and public difficulties.
Sohail Afridi directed that 1,638 pending cases be resolved immediately, saying that despite completion of payments, the non-availability of poles, transformers, and other essential equipment is a waste of public resources.
He said relevant institutions should prioritize public interest, justice, and merit instead of political preferences. If delays in procurement despite available funds increase costs, the additional financial burden should be borne by the concerned department.
The Chief Minister said people cannot be deprived of basic facilities due to delays in electricity connections. He added that Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is facing unfair treatment despite producing more electricity than its own needs.
Sohail Afridi said people are suffering from load shedding and low voltage problems, while the federal government is also not providing the province its constitutional and financial rights. He claimed that more than Rs2,200 billion are payable to Khyber Pakhtunkhwa by the federal government under net hydel profit.
He further said that the province supplies more gas than its own requirement to the federation, but its own CNG stations are still shut down.
The Chief Minister directed Peshawar, Tribal, and Hazara Electric Supply Companies to resolve all pending matters immediately and ordered completion of ongoing electricity schemes by September in severely hot areas and by December in other regions.