The Ministry of Energy (Power Division), on the directive of Federal Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari, has issued a set of operational directives to all Distribution Companies (DISCOs), the National Power Control Centre (NPCC), and the National Grid Company (NGC) to guarantee uninterrupted power supply throughout the month of Muharram, with particular emphasis on the 9th and 10th of Muharram – the days of Ashura.
As per an official statement, all DISCOs have been directed to hold immediate consultative meetings with district administration authorities, management committees, and law enforcement agencies.
Each DISCO is required to obtain precise lists of Majaalis venues and procession routes from local administrations across all Operation Sub-divisions and Districts.
The Chief Engineer (Operation) of every DISCO has been designated as the overall in-charge responsible for monitoring continuity of electricity supply, while dedicated focal persons are to be nominated at the circle level to maintain real-time coordination with civil and security authorities, as well as community representatives.
All DISCOs have been instructed to complete maintenance of the electric network and distribution transformers serving Majaalis and Imam Bargahs no later than the 7th of Muharram.
As per the directive, hanging wires along procession routes are to be urgently rectified to eliminate any risk of mishap, and all procession routes are to be made electrically safe before the commencement of the processions. Emergency teams equipped with full tools and plant (T&P), requisite materials, transformers – including trolley-mounted units – and dedicated vehicles are to remain on standby in every Sub-division throughout the period.
Meanwhile, regional and field stores will remain operational on an emergency basis for continuous material issuance, and fully equipped vehicles are to be stationed in each sub-division at all times.
It was learnt that round-the-clock control rooms are to be established at multiple administrative tiers to oversee Muharram operations.
Managers (Operation), Deputy Managers (Operation), and Assistant Managers (Operation) – along with their full staff – are required to remain present in their respective offices, especially on the days of Ashura.
At the transmission level, the National Grid Company (NGC) has been directed to ensure seamless power delivery to all DISCOs strictly in accordance with NPCC’s allocations.
DISCOs have been further directed to prepare detailed contingency plans to manage feeder loads and avert forced load shedding, particularly in areas historically vulnerable to such interruptions during peak demand periods.
DISCOs are required to enforce strict vigilance against unauthorised individuals operating on the distribution network, and stringent action is to be taken against any such persons without delay.
The Ministry of Energy (Power Division) called upon all stakeholders – DISCOs, transmission entities, and district administrations – to work in close coordination to ensure a safe, dignified, and uninterrupted observance of Ashura across the country.