DERA ISMAIL KHAN: Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi has directed WAPDA officials to take special measures to address electricity consumers’ problems and reduce the duration of load shedding to provide relief to the public and resolve their complaints effectively.
The directives were issued during a meeting with WAPDA officials here at Kundi Model Farm which was attended by Pakistan Peoples Party District President Malik Farhan Afzal Dhap, City President Rehan Baloch, Provincial Vice President of Peoples Youth Zafar Ali Khan Gandapur, and Red Crescent Tank Secretary Ziauddin Bettani.
WAPDA was represented by XEN Rural Sanaullah Khan, XEN City Shoaib Khan Kundi, SDO Grid Waseem Javed, and SDO Transmission and Grid Asadullah.
During the meeting, participants held detailed discussions on the issues faced by electricity consumers in Dera Ismail Khan, the condition of grid stations, the power distribution system, and ongoing and future development projects. The Governor was briefed on the progress of various initiatives, including the Band Korai Grid Station project.
Governor Faisal Karim Kundi directed officials to ensure the early provision of essential equipment for the Band Korai Grid Station, stating that the timely completion of the project would help resolve long-standing electricity issues faced by consumers in the area.
He urged the relevant authorities to utilize all available resources to further improve the power supply system.
He emphasized that while efforts should continue to control line losses, special attention must also be given to consumers who regularly pay their electricity bills.
The meeting also reviewed progress regarding the provision of equipment for Grid Station-II in Dera Ismail Khan, with contacts made at higher levels to expedite the process.
The Governor said that once the new grid station becomes operational, several feeders would be separated, reducing overloading on the system and ensuring a more stable and reliable electricity supply for consumers.
Participants also highlighted the need for establishing a Computer Center, an M&T Center, and a Training Center in Dera Ismail Khan.
It was decided that these matters would be raised at the federal level for consideration and approval.
Expressing concern over the shortage of staff in WAPDA, the Governor termed it a serious issue across the province and noted that the failure to fill 14,000 vacant posts throughout Khyber Pakhtunkhwa was regrettable and adversely affecting service delivery.
The meeting also reviewed arrangements for ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply during Muharram-ul-Haram and discussed measures to address load-shedding-related issues to facilitate the public and mourners during the holy month.
Meanwhile, the KP governor vowed strict action against corruption and illegal deductions in payments made to beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), saying that those exploiting deserving families would not be granted any leniency. The governor expressed these views during a meeting with BISP officials in Dera Ismail Khan, where he was briefed on the programme’’s operations and challenges being faced by beneficiaries across the region. Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) District President, Malik Farhan Afzal Dhap was also present on the occasion.
BISP officials informed the governor that around 187,000 deserving beneficiaries in Dera Ismail Khan received financial assistance through the programme.
Discussions focused on issues faced by women during the survey process, unauthorized deductions from stipends, and difficulties encountered while receiving payments through banks and franchise outlets.
The meeting was attended by South Zone Director Zeeshan Hasnain, Deputy Director Arif Kundi, Assistant Directors Rehan Baloch, Asim Shahzad, Nauman Zaeem, Arshad Sudozai, Asghar Khan, Complaint Officer Zohaib Khan, and PSO to the Zonal Director Waqar Khan.
Officials also highlighted operational challenges at BISP offices in Dera Ismail Khan, Tank and South Waziristan, including staff shortages, inadequate facilities for beneficiaries and difficulties arising from the prevailing security situation and weak internet connectivity in some areas.
Governor Kundi directed the concerned authorities to take up these issues with higher authorities and ensure prompt measures for their resolution. He stressed upon that beneficiaries, particularly women, should not face unnecessary hardships while accessing financial assistance. The governor further assured officials that he would raise the issue of providing alternative payment and service facilities for beneficiaries living in security-sensitive areas.
Expressing concern over reports of deductions by retailers and franchise operators, he termed the practice “highly regrettable” and said individuals involved in depriving poor people of their rightful assistance were damaging the credibility of the entire welfare system.
