Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan today spoke at the Osmani Auditorium. Photo: BSS
Khan announced that a dedicated team from the power division will monitor compliance with the directive. Violations, he warned, would lead to load shedding in the affected areas.
Speaking to journalists after the DC conference at Osmani Auditorium, Khan highlighted the fragile economic situation the interim government inherited. “We are struggling with electricity and fuel bills after significant amounts of money were laundered,” he said. Despite these challenges, he assured that necessary steps have been taken to ensure a stable power supply during Ramadan.
The Adviser also urged Deputy Commissioners to raise awareness about electricity efficiency. He noted that power demand during winter is 9,000MW but surges to 17,000MW-18,000MW in summer due to increased use of irrigation and air conditioning. "By moderating AC usage, we can save several thousand MW of power," Khan added.
In a related initiative, Khan requested religious leaders to instruct mosques to maintain AC temperatures at 25°C during Tarabih prayers.
On the gas crisis, Khan revealed that efforts are underway to increase gas production through new wells and disconnection of illegal connections, saving around 200 mmcfd of gas. He also mentioned ongoing discussions with the finance adviser to ensure enough foreign exchange for LNG imports.
Khan emphasized that while the country has the capacity to generate power, the fuel shortage remains a challenge. To address this, he said a standard price would be set for power purchased from coal, gas, and oil-based plants.
Finally, the Adviser touched on plans for road repairs and strengthening mobile courts to enforce discipline on roads and highways.