By Our Correspondent
Lahore, January 24: On the special directives of Chief Minister Punjab following the Karachi tragedy, the first meeting of the Steering Committee formed to ensure the safety of citizens across Punjab was held under the chairmanship of Provincial Minister for Energy and Convener Faisal Ayub Khokhar. The Steering Committee aims to address critical issues in the power distribution system.
The meeting reviewed in detail the electricity distribution system in Lahore, associated safety hazards, and measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply. Commissioner Lahore Maryam Khan, DG LDA Tahir Farooq, CEO LESCO Ramzan Butt participated in the meeting, while DG Rescue Punjab Rizwan Naseer joined via video link.
Role of the Steering Committee in Power Safety
During the meeting, the Provincial Minister for Energy announced the formation of four working groups to ensure the safety of the power system. These include the Core Group, Monitoring Group, Cable and Internet Service Group, and Consumer and Commercial Group. These groups will be headed by the Commissioner Lahore, Deputy Commissioner Lahore, Assistant Commissioners, and officers of the relevant departments to ensure effective monitoring and implementation.
The Steering Committee will play a pivotal role in coordinating responses among different groups to enhance safety and reliability.
Faisal Ayub Khokhar directed that special attention be given to hanging wires on poles and buildings, particularly internet and cable lines, and that office bearers of the Cable Association be involved in the process to eliminate unsafe cabling.
The Provincial Minister for Energy instructed all departments to ensure effective coordination and announced the formation of a dedicated social media group along with the working groups to facilitate timely reporting of public complaints and information to concerned authorities. He further stated that all four working groups would submit their final proposals to the Energy Department by January 26. These proposals will be scrutinized by the Steering Committee on January 27, and a comprehensive action plan will be presented to the Chief Minister Punjab on January 28. Addressing the meeting, Faisal Ayub Khokhar said that old markets and densely populated areas of Lahore would be given priority, and a comprehensive plan would be prepared for a safe electricity infrastructure in the city. He stressed special focus on reducing electricity-related risks during Basant and other public events, stating that ensuring a “Safe Basant” is a top priority of the Punjab Government. He further clarified that after the successful implementation of this model in Lahore, it would be replicated across all cities of Punjab in a phased manner to modernize and secure the electricity system throughout the province, guided by the insights of the Steering Committee.
The Steering Committee is expected to deliver a robust framework for ensuring safety in the electricity infrastructure in Lahore.
Commissioner Lahore Maryam Khan and DG LDA assured full cooperation of all relevant departments and emphasized that all institutions would work in unison to ensure the safety of citizens’ lives and property. The meeting also discussed uninterrupted power supply, identification and mapping of high-risk zones, phased corrective measures, and the use of modern technology. Secretaries of Local Government, Housing, Industries & Commerce, Emergency Services and other senior officers of concerned departments were also present in the meeting.
