By our correspondent
BANNU: Armed men allegedly forced electricity staff to restore supply to high-loss feeders at grid stations in Bannu and Sarai Naurang, placing severe strain on the power network and raising concerns over the risk of a major system failure, according to the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO).
PESCO officials said the incidents took place on the nights of 24-25 June and 27 June, when groups allegedly led by Malik Rahat and Malik Hikmat Yar entered the Bannu and Sarai Naurang grid stations and compelled staff to switch on feeders that had been disconnected because of high losses.
According to the utility, the two men are brothers of former Khyber Pakhtunkhwa minister and current provincial lawmaker Malik Pakhtun Yar. PESCO said the forced restoration overloaded the electricity network and seriously affected a transformer at the Bannu grid station.
The utility claimed that, despite repeated complaints, no legal action had been taken against those allegedly involved. It further alleged that armed groups continue to pressure staff into restoring power to high-loss feeders at the Bannu grid station on a daily basis.
PESCO said it had written to the Chief Secretary of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and had also informed the Bannu commissioner and the Regional Police Officer about the incidents. The company said its employees felt unable to resist armed individuals because of the absence of effective action by the authorities.
Officials also claimed that many consumers stopped paying electricity bills after power was forcibly restored, while electricity demand on the high-loss feeders had increased significantly due to greater use of air conditioners. PESCO warned that continued overloading of the network could result in a major technical failure or a serious accident unless immediate action is taken.
