QUETTA: The provincial capital of Balochistan is grappling with severe electricity woes as unannounced load shedding and persistent low voltage have left citizens frustrated amid soaring summer temperatures.
QESCO (Quetta Electric Supply Company) has reportedly begun unannounced power outages across all nine provincial assembly constituencies of Quetta, compounding the hardships for residents during peak heat and ahead of Eid-ul-Adha. In response to growing public complaints, Member of Provincial Assembly (MPA) Sardarzada Abdul Samad Khan Gorgage raised the issue on the floor of the Balochistan Assembly, calling attention to the worsening situation in Quetta and surrounding areas.
Taking note of the matter, the Speaker of the Balochistan Assembly issued an official directive summoning the QESCO Chief to appear before the assembly on Sunday. Additionally, all elected representatives from Quetta’s nine constituencies have been asked to ensure their presence in Monday’s session to deliberate on the crisis and present the public’s grievances in detail.
Sources inside QESCO have revealed alarming internal practices. According to insiders, repeated transformer burnouts are being caused by intentional voltage reductions by grid staff. These actions, they allege, are meant to create repair opportunities that allow for financial misappropriation during transformer maintenance. “If grid staff did not tamper with voltage levels, the transformers wouldn’t overheat or burn out,” said one source.
This malpractice not only damages QESCO’s infrastructure but also results in the loss of costly household appliances, affecting both residents and businesses. Water supply schemes and small businesses dependent on electricity have also suffered considerable disruption.
With the Speaker’s ruling now in place, all eyes are on the upcoming assembly session, where the QESCO Chief is expected to present a detailed explanation. The people of Quetta — including traders, residents, and electricity-dependent sectors — are demanding urgent resolution, as rising temperatures in the coming days could further paralyze daily life across the region.
Also Read: Top Balochistan officials meet to review governance, uplift Projects
This power crisis, if left unaddressed, could have far-reaching consequences, especially as Balochistan prepares for a scorching summer and the Eid festivities.
