Electrocution: Haleem Adil Shaikh holds KE responsible for seven deaths

KARACHI: Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Haleem Adil Shaikh held K-Electric responsible for deaths of seven people from electrocution in Karachi after the spell of showers on Wednesday, and announced legal proceedings against the power utility.

The PTI leader, who visited the spot, where Mohammed Rafiq, 50, was riding a motorcycle died after an electric wire fell on him on Habib Rehmatullah Road popularly known as Stadium Road near Kingri House.

During the visit, Adil Shaikh observed that KE had not removed the live wire even though two-and-a-half hours had passed.

Later, addressing a press conference at Hunaid Lakhani Secretariat, flanked by Baitul Mal Sindh President Hunaid Lakhani, PTI leaders Agha Arsalan, Sumair Mir Sheikh, Jam Farooq Ahmed and others, he said: “The monsoon rains are considered as a blessing but the corrupt PPP rulers of Sindh have made them the source of tormenting Karachiites”.

He said “Our MPs are protesting against the K-Electric (KE). He said in 2009 Zardari government had inked a deal of giving KESC to Abraaj Group till 2023 and the Karachiites are paying the price of this shoddy and murky deal”.

He said the KE is extorting money from the citizens of Karachi under different pretexts. He said; however, “We will not allow the owners of the KE to flee but will make them accountable before the public”.

Meanwhile, talking to media at the JPMC, PTI lawmaker Khurram Sher Zaman said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had taken notice of the PTI’s protest against the “atrocities” of KE and had called the opposition leader in the Sindh Assembly to Islamabad on Thursday.

The PTI’s Karachi chapter had announced earlier this week that its leaders would stage a symbolic sit-in daily at their protest camp outside the KE head office.

Sindh Minister for Energy Imtiaz Sheikh took notice of the electrocution deaths reported since the rains started, contacting the Power Division secretary, Nepra chairman and KE managing director regarding the issue.

While expressing grief at the loss of lives, Shaikh directed the officials to take “strict action” after determining the persons responsible, according to a statement.

According to the press release, a rain emergency cell has been formed where citizens can report electrocution cases and other accidents between 10 am and 5 pm on these numbers: 02199207139, 03332498330 (KE), 03333778765 (Hesco), 03332479882 (Sepco).

At least seven people, including two children, were electrocuted to death in rain-related incidents in different parts of the metropolis on Wednesday.