ISLAMABAD:
The Energy Ministry has issued orders for uninterrupted power supply throughout the country during Muharram and instructed the distribution companies (DISCOs) to ensure immediate repair or replacement of faulty equipment in their system.
Energy Minister Awais Leghari has issued the instructions to the chief executive officers of all Discos, saying that the holy month of Muharram was approaching, when millions of people attend gatherings and processions across the country.
“As you are aware, the sacred month of Muharramul Haram is approaching, during which millions of devotees/mourners across Pakistan will participate in Majalis and processions to commemorate the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA),” he said.
“Since the holy month of Muharram is falling in the month of July and heat waves are expected, it is very much imperative that all necessary measures are taken to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to — avoid any inconvenience to the public,” it added.
In this regard, the minister asked the Discos to take the action on an urgent basis, including plan for preemptive maintenance and load management; form emergency response teams; and ensure generator and backup support.
“Conduct thorough inspections of all transmission and distribution networks, particularly in areas where Majalis and processions are expected. Ensure that all faulty equipment is promptly repaired or replaced to prevent outages,” the order stated.
“Deploy dedicated emergency response teams on high alert throughout Muharram, especially on the 9th and 10th of Muharram, to address any power disruptions immediately,” it added.
The minister asked the Disco officials to coordinate with district administrations, law-enforcement agencies, and religious gatherings organisers to identify critical locations requiring priority power supply and backup arrangements.
The minister stressed the need for communicating proactively with consumers, especially Imambargahs and mosques, regarding any scheduled maintenance or potential load management measures to minimise inconvenience.
He emphasised updating the inventory to ensure that sufficient number of transformers and other materials were available in each sub-division. “Ensure standby generators and UPS systems at sensitive locations to provide backup power in case of any grid issues.”
Furthermore, the minister instructed for assigning duty rosters and establishment of dedicated control centres to ensure round the clock availability of technical and operational staff to respond swiftly to any power-related issues.
“The sanctity of Muharram demands our utmost commitment to serving the public with diligence and respect. Any negligence in this regard will be viewed seriously,” he said, and asked the officials to submit a compliance report.
