KARAK: While resenting excessive power loadshedding and low gas pressure in Karak, adviser to the chief minister on prisons Malik Qasim Khan Khattak on Saturday asked the Peshawar Electric Supply Company and Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited to take corrective measures.

The adviser issued directions during a visit to the Jehangeri service meter station of SNGPL along with a large number of people.

He alleged that suspension of electric and gas supply for long hours in the district had created problems for the provincial government, so Pesco and SNGPL should address the problems without delay.

Malik Qasim said the people in the district were subjected to power loadshedding for more than 20 hours a day as well as prolonged low gas pressure.

He said electric supply to entire Takht-i-Nusrati tehsil and many parts of Karak and Banda Daud Shah tehsils remained suspendedfor more than 20 hours a day to the misery of the people.

The adviser said Pesco and SNGPL should ensure smooth electric and gas supply to local residents during the winter season.

When contacted, SNGPL official Raza Khan Khattak said his organisation was unable to increase gas pressure for technical reasons.

He said the SNGPL service meter station installed on the Indus Highway near Jail Chowk had the capacity to release gas up to 250,000 million cubic feet on the daily basis.

The official blamed low gas pressure on the use of substandard pipes and said not only such pipes caused wastage of gas but they posed a serious threat to human life as well.

WITHDRAWL of CASES SOUGHT: The Khattak Ittehad and other rights organisations on Saturday demanded withdrawal of FIRs registered against the office-bearers of rights organisations.

The demand was made during a public meeting held in Karak city.

Representatives of the Khattak Ittehad and other rights organisations announced they would meet on Monday to make future course of action on the matter.