A delegation of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry led by its President Muzzamil Hussain Sabri called on Malik Yousaf Awan, Chief Executive Officer, Islamabad Electric Supply Company and apprised him of the electricity related issues of the business community. 

 

Addressing the delegation, Malik Yousaf Awan said that IESCO has reduced the duration of loadshedding for industry from 5 hours to just 2 hours in a day i.e. from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm in order to facilitate the growth of production activities. He said IESCO was considering to introduce an SMS service for the consumers to enable them to lodge complaints through messaging service. 

 

He said IESCO was also planning to introduce AMI meters that would automatically record the meter reading and would end the role of meter readers. This would enable IESCO to rationalize its staff strength and perform more efficiently. He said due to better performance, IESCO was incurring lowest line losses in the country and was not passing on the burden of line losses to the consumers. He assured that IESCO would take all possible steps to facilitate the growth of business and industrial activities so that businessmen could contribute more effectively in improving the local economy. 

 

Speaking at the occasion, Muzzamil Hussain Sabri, President, Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry appreciated the move of IESCO for reducing loadshedding duration for industry as it would help industries to operate up to full capacity and improve productivity. He said IESCO should change loadshedding timing from existing 500-7:00 pm to 6:00-8:00 pm so that industry could enhance its manufacturing activities. 

 

He also lauded the IESCO decision to provide further relief to consumers in fuel price adjustment as it will reduce great burden on the common man by reducing electricity bills. He said the role of IESCO was very important in smooth promotion of trade and industry and hoped that it will play positive role in reducing the electricity related problems of businessmen. 

 

Muhammad Shakeel Munir Senior Vice President ICCI, Tariq Sadiq, Mian Shaukat Masud, Khalid Iqbal Malik, Khalid Chaudhry and Ejaz Ibrahim were also included in the delegation.