Minister defends free electricity for Wapda men

Pakistan

Minister defends free electricity for Wapda men

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Water and Power Minister Naveed Qamar Thursday warned of widespread blackout.

27 October,2011 09:10 pm

He threatened the Senate that the entire country would be unplugged if the facility of free power supply to WAPDA officers and workers was suspended.In the question hour at the Senate, Naveed Qamar said although the government had ordered discontinuation of free units to the Wapda employees, the utilitys union refused to abide by the directive.If such an action was taken, the entire country would have to face a blackout, he warned.He said the CEOs of different power suppliers including the Chairman of WAPDA enjoyed facility of 2000 free units while Grade-21 and 22 officers receive 1100 free power units each.The minister further informed that officers of Grade-19, 18 and 17 get 800, 600 and 450 free electricity units respectively.He said electricity theft is being made a punishable crime under which severe punishments had been proposed.