Karachi’s businessmen called K-Electric’s actions anti-business and anti-people, and demanded more power distribution companies to provide opportunities for competition in the city.
Addressing a seminar held at the Karachi Press Club under the aegis of the All Pakistan Small Traders Association, Jamaat-e-Islami Public Aid chief Imran Shahid said that the cruel KE was going to make fake claims in the hearing of NEPRA seeking permission for receipts from consumers who regularly pay bills of 68 billion rupees of electricity defaulters.
He said that 30 percent of Karachi’s industries have been closed due to the power crisis, the economy is directly related to energy, if electricity is cheap, the economy will flourish. In 1952, the government of K-Electric private company invested by buying majority shares. In 2005, Musharraf unconstitutionally privatized this national asset. Karachi pays 60% of revenue and 40% of taxes and accounts for 55% of exports.
He said that Abdul Hafeez Sheikh told as a good news that there will be an investment of $500 million in KESC and darkness will end in Karachi. KESC was privatized for only 15 billion rupees, but its losses increased with the passing time. Former President Asif Zardari introduced the Abraaj Group in K-Electric, which has many scandals.
He said that it has been 19 years since the privatization of K-Electric but it could not be self-sufficient in generation. K-Electric makes expensive electricity and sells it to traders and the public. K-Electric has not been able to provide affordable electricity to citizens, NEPRA reports. During the 2015 heatwave, the electricity system was deliberately shut off, 2,500 people died from the heat and hospitals ran out of space. When Karachi needed electricity Then the furnace oil plant’s electrics were turned off.
Addressing the seminar, President All Karachi Merchants’ Alliance Atiq Mir said that most of the protests in Karachi took place against the irregularities of K-Electric, but this institution is one that does what it wants but does not have the deterrent power of the government. Such entities cannot be handed over to any company on commercial basis.
He’s been with us for 19 years. The people of the entire area have to bear the punishment of electricity theft of a few people. People from all walks of life are suffering from this disease. The biggest problem is the electricity bill.
