* Two labourers fell unconscious while working in crippling heat
LAHORE: Electricity load shedding continued to traumatise Lahoris, as relief from the menace remains out of sight, Daily Times learnt on Tuesday.
The government has failed to provide any relief to the masses despite implementing the energy conservation plan, as citizens continued to face power outages of 10 to 16 hours daily. But an official of the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) denied that the duration of load shedding was between 10 to 16 hours and said the power outages would decline as soon as the water levels in the dams improved. He said the energy conservation plan was bearing fruit and domestic consumers were being facilitated.
Market traders of the city also slammed the government for failing to control load shedding and warned of civil disobedience if there demands were not met. They alleged that the government had destroyed their businesses by forcing them to close their shops at 8pm and the continued spells of load shedding were adding to their miseries. Members of the Qaumi Tajir Ittehad, Mall Road Traders Association and the Lahore Business Association urged the government not to accept the policies of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and allow the traders to do their business even after 8pm.
Separately, two labourers Mansha and Ramzan fell unconscious in Saeedpur due to the sizzling heat and were rushed to a nearby clinic for treatment. Doctors have advised citizens not to come out of their homes with bare heads and use salt with water to ward off the crippling heat. Daily Times