JI demands nationalisation of K-Electric

KARACHI: Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) Karachi Ameer Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman has said consumers have fallen prey to the fusty Karachi Electric (K-E) power generation and distribution system and demanded the federal government to nationalization the power utility.

Hafiz Naeem said that K-Electric (KE) should be nationalised and the proposed raise in power charges should also be immediately withdrawn.

He said KE had failed to provide relief to its consumers by increasing the duration of load-shedding. He called for the cancellation of KE’s license, demanding that the government and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority take stern action against the private entity for its failures.

The JI leader also lambasted KE for the collection of undue money from consumers through overbilling and fuel adjustment charges. He alleged that elected representatives of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and Muttahida Qaumi Movement Pakistan had been patronizing KE.

He said that “Haqooq Karachi March” has made the campaign for the solution of Karachi’s problems. He said that the provincial government had paid Rs 31 billion to K Electric from the exchequer in terms of dues, “now this is what PTI wants”.

Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman said that K Electric’s license should be revoked immediately, the administration of the power utility should be put in jails, K Electric killed several people in Karachi, he added.

He asked how the two political parties in the federal government could protest against KE when the Economic Coordination Committee had already allowed the power utility to raise the power tariff.

The JI leader said, “People are launching a campaign for a referendum, the Sindh Local Government Act should be repealed, a new civic system should be introduced, Karachi Solidarity Day will be celebrated across the country on October 14.”.