DESPITE tall claims the government has failed to overcome excessive loadshedding ... both in the rural and urban localities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata. In the past load-shedding in the urban areas was comparatively less ... but now the duration in settled areas has also increased manifold. ... Besides other problems the people have been facing shortage ofwater in residential colonies and have no other option to meet their needs. Unfortunately, every newgovernment blames the previous rulers for the pathetic situation of power supply and no pragmatic steps are taken to overcome this core issue. [Many] industrial units have stopped functioning and as a result thousands of people have been rendered jobless. ... The frequent hours-long load-shedding is also causing increasein robberies and other street crimes. . .

On the other hand, Wapda is sending inflated monthly power bills to the consumers; those who fail to pay them on time have to face disconnection and penalties. ... In the elections every politician [promises] to solve this problem on a priority basis, but after coming to power no heed is paid towards thiscore issue. The PTIled provincial government had also promised to solve this [problem] ... butfor the purpose it wants complete authority over the power supply company.

. [I]n future, the people will not support the politiclans who are unable to play an effective role in controlling load-shedding.

... (March 25) = Selected and translated by Ali Hazrat Bacha.