Power outages spark protests across Sindh

KARACHI: Power outages sparked protests and sit-ins on Sunday in several areas of Sindh, DawnNews reported. Hyderabad, Thatta, Badin, Mirpurkhas, Sukkur, Larkana and Jacobabad are facing power cuts of upto eighteen hours against which the citizens staged protests in several areas. Holding Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (K-Electric) responsible for prolonged power outages in Karachi, the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) also staged a protest in Karachi. Party workers and PPP's Sindh Members of Provincial Assembly are expected to attend the sit-in outside K-Electric's head office against the "unannounced, extended power load-shedding". Meanwhile, Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said the massive power breakdown on Friday hampered industrial production in the port city and that citizens also suffered in the process. Governor Sindh Dr. Ishratul Ibad Khan directed K-electric, Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) and Water Board to ensure regular electricity and water supply to the people of Sindh. Friday's power breakdown across Karachi as well as in several parts of Hyderabad, Jamshoro and other districts of the southern province had occurred reportedly due to the tripping of production units in the National Grid Line. The breakdown had come at a time when exporters were busy in meeting shipment deadlines ahead of Eidul Fitr holidays. Earlier, the Muttahida Qaumi Movement's coordination committee had also condemned the power outage, saying it was imperative that both cities had uninterrupted supply of electricity.