The Federal Minister of Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari has instructed all power-related departments to refrain from implementing any Power supply in Muharram. The Ministry of Energy (Power Division) has issued instructions in this regard.
This blanket directive is effective immediately in respect of the regional Distribution Companies (DISCOs), the National Power Control Centre (NPCC) and the National Grid Company (NGC). This collective administrative push serves to show the government’s intention of ensuring public safety and availability of public utility services in this very critical period of the Muslim calendar year.
Protection of Routes and Infrastructure for Events
The Power Division instructed all DISCOs to begin consultation immediately with district administrations, management committees, and security agencies. Such consultation will assist engineers in creating directories of all venues for Majalis events and traditional routes of processions in their respective regional areas.
In order to ensure strict accountability, the chief engineers of operations shall act as the main focal individuals responsible for ensuring that the local grid is taken care of. The Power Division set a strict deadline for DISCOs to finish all network repairs and conduct inspections on distribution transformers providing Imam Bargahs before the 7th day of Muharram.
Emergency Preparedness and Equipment Mobilization
It is noteworthy that the government has taken an interest in 24-hour emergency preparedness in all the electric sub-divisions. Full-fledged teams will be kept ready with their equipment, plant, spare components and mobile transformer mounted on the trolleys.
Administrative Protection was also built into the emergency plan by the Power Division:
- Continuous Logistics: The regional and field hardware stores would be run on an emergency basis to avoid shortages of materials.
- Restriction of Personnel: The management had put on hold any leaves for employees and instructed all managers and assistant managers to stay on shift duty.
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Transmission Flow Management and Stabilization of Feeder Loads
The regional control centers of the ISMO situated in Islamabad and Jamshoro will be responsible for monitoring the high voltage lines on an ongoing basis.
Operational Mandate: DISCOs must adhere to the load management strategy as laid out by NPCC to ensure grid stability and to avoid power blackouts. In addition to this, the government also mandates that the distribution firms come up with contingency strategies aimed at feeder balance in vulnerable communities.
However, the Power Department also mandated field staffs to resolve any customer billing and technical complaints quickly. The Public Information Campaign will provide information about any unavoidable disruption of infrastructure in affected areas, whereas the field managers will be vigilant to avoid any unauthorized tampering with the power distribution network. The total security system guarantees protection of human lives as well as the infrastructure of the state.
Nayab Fatima is a university graduate and an emerging media professional with a strong passion for journalism, research, and independent reporting. She specializes in developing well-researched, fact-based, and analytical news stories covering a wide range of sectors, with particular expertise in technology, telecommunications, aviation, and the automobile industry.
