"This is for the first in Pakistan''s history that the entire industry has been shut down because of the Ministry of Water and Power''s mismanagement. This credit goes to the Secretary who just plays with words, instead of taking practical steps," the sources added.
Minister for Water and Power Ahmad Mukhtar who claimed at the time of taking charge of this Ministry that he would streamline the system within 40 days, now stays away from media. All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) also criticised the Ministry of Water for Power for mismanagement. Textile sector''s power supply was disconnected for the past four days.
"We have no other option; but to switch off domestic and commercial consumers or industry till January 31 next year," commented an official on condition of anonymity. The Secretary Water and Power, sources said, wasted at least four hours ( two in the morning and two in the evening) of CEOs of Discos every day on Skype. The Ministry, however, claimed that recovery levels improved by six per cent to 89 percent from 83 percent.
"How can a CEO deliver anything if he or she has to sit before the Skype for four hours a day. Other officers also face her wrath," the sources said. Reports also suggested that the Secretary Water and Power had worst of relations with Petroleum Secretary Dr Waqar Masood and Abdul Wajid Rana of the Finance Ministry. The sources said hydel generation dropped to just 1,300MW from 3,000MW. On top of all this, thermal units were not being provided adequate gas or furnace oil for generation.
Currently, the generation is about 7,800MW against a demand of 12,000MW at day time and 13,000MW at night. Gencos are just producing 1,870MW whereas generation from IPPs is 4,900MW. Mrs Sethi, sources said, was furious over Pakistan State Oil (PSO) on Monday for not supplying the required quantity of fuel to Gencos. The Ministry claimed that between July and December this year, it paid Rs 250 billion to PSO, of which Rs 182 billion was current bill, besides clearing arrears worth Rs 68 billion.
"We are current on payment, but PSO is responsible for this crisis," said the official who deals with fuel affairs. On the other hand, incumbent Secretary Water and Power''s critics wondered why she did not take timely measures to avoid this situation despite knowing that December and January would be the worst months with respect to generation.
"The main problem is management. The incumbent team of non-technical bureaucrats does not know how to run the power system," said a power sector expert. SDOs of Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), sources said, on Tuesday held an informal meeting in which they discussed tendering enmasse resignations in protest against the ''unacceptable'' attitude of the Secretary for Water and Power.