KARACHI - The use of substandard material to repair cable faults has resulted in prolonged power outages in the metropolis as the shortfall of electricity touched 600 MWs to 700 MWs further widening the gap between demand and supply of the utility. Owing to the rise in temperature, use of air conditioners in the city has increased with a result in unscheduled power outages. At present, the metropolis is witnessing 8 to 12 hours of unannounced loadshedding creating severe hardships for the citizens. We are compelled to face this exorbitant situation due to power outages, not only during day time, but also at night. We have to spend most of nights sleepless, which is also adversely affecting our work abilities, said a citizen. According to sources, the maintenance work of the electricity cables in metropolis has been suspended for the last several years, which has practically paralysed the power distribution system. The material used in repairing the cable faults is substandard while company keeps these faults alive in order to present excuses prolong power outages. The previous KESC management also adopted same attitude and contributed to the destruction of the power supply system, said a source in the company. He added that these faults could be overcome if the company had imported standardised material for the maintenance of power supply system. If the company cannot improve the power generation system, it can at least provide relief to masses by improving power distribution system, he continued. Meanwhile, the loadshedding continues to irk citizens. Due to long spells of loadshedding, water supply has also been paralysed causing untold hardships for the people. According to the sources, the demand and supply gap has widen up to 700 MWs. The demand of electricity remained 2400 MWs in the city while its supply from the Korangi Power Plant has been stopped. Bin Qasim Power Plant supplied unit 1-170 MWs, unit 2-70 MWs, unit 3-70 MWs, unit 4-140 MWs, unit 5-70 MWs and unit 6-200 MWs, making the total of 720 MWs. While the official data released by the company, indicates the demand at 2300 MWs and supply of electricity remained 1950 MWs.