KARACHI - The deteriorated power generating condition in the country has increased the import of power generating machinery in the Pakistan. Pakistani traders have spent Rs 111.8 million on the import of power generating units in the country during July-April 2008-2009. According to the data released, the power generating machinery import last year during the same period cost Rs 53 million. There is a steep increase in the import of 110 pc during the considered period this year, owing to the poor power generation condition in the country. The import was of Rs 7.59 million during the month of April 2008 as compared to Rs 18 million in the April 2009, making the percentage difference of 138 per cent. It is noteworthy that Pakistan is going through worse power crisis from last few years, which is deepening day by day. The country has witnessed no power generation improvement or installation during last several years. It has turned out to have worst impact on the economy and general lives of public. Tall claims have been made by the federal and provincial ministers to improve the power supply system in the country, with declaration that loadshedding will end in December 2009. But on the contrary, the condition of power generation and its demand in the country is getting worse. Energy experts are of the opinion that these claims are outlandish on behalf of our government officials. It should be kept in mind that even if the government plans to install any new power generation unit, it would take at least 3 years to provide half of its capacity. So, how is it possible that government would improve the situation in the country before the end of the current year. Condition of power supply in the financial hub of the country, Karachi, is also in shamble. Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) is carrying out prolonged power outages in the city, which has made the lives of the citizens miserable. The city is facing acute power shortage and several spells of loadshedding are being observed. Eight to 10 hours of loadshedding are becoming routine by the company, claiming that it is all because of the poor supply system handed over to the new management by previous one. It is worth mentioning that nothing has been spent on power generating sector by the private owners of the company. After its privatisation, the KESCs new management has first time invested in power generating sector, the new investment, is by increasing its internal generation capacity with the addition of a 560 MW power plant. It will be fully online by 2012, which indicates that improvement claims need this much time to implement in the city. The demand for electricity in the metropolitan has mounted up to 2400 MWs. The supply remains 2000 MWs, out of which 500 to 600 MWs is being supplied by Wapda during peak hours. Kannup is supplying 80 MWs, Bin Qasim Power Plant is adding 600 to 700 MWs to the power system and IPPs are supplying 60 to 80 MWs to Karachi. Residents from almost all the areas of city have protested against the power outages, this situation has also badly affected the working conditions in the hospitals. Students appearing in exams are also suffering due to these continues power outages.