SINDH is braving the worst heatwave while power shutdowns have further heated things up. ... Over a hundred towns and settlements ... are facing power disconnection. The duration of load-shedding has been extended. ... Though people are protesting ... neither the federal nor the pro-vincial government is taking it seriously.

[The other day] the mercury touched 45 degrees in Dadu,while it was above 40 in other towns. ... Power failure caused collapse of water supply and drainage systems. ... It is believed the people of this province are being punished for opposing the controversial Kalabagh dam. If this is not the case, why are people who pay bills being deprived of power? ...

Power shutdowns and ..load-shedding have pushed the people to protest. This might lead to confrontation.

The non-recovery of bills, power theft etc, [have to do with] internal corruption of the power distribution companies.People of this province should not be charged on this pretext. The stateminister for water and power is fuelling the fire by issuing insulting statements about thepeople of Sindh.

Some sense should prevail and the decision to disconnect the power of entire towns and basic facilities should be revised. The officials responsible for the nonrecovery of bills and power theft should be taken to task. ... (April 28) M Selected and translated by Sohail Sangi.