IT is quite strange that the KESC, being the sole supplier of electricity to Karachi, has been monopolising in the power sector, though electricity is so essential for every business and economy of the country.

The KESC must have a competitor in the market which is the only to way to force the utility service to put its house in order.

The Supreme Court and the Sindh High Court must consider the case in the light of competition laws in the public interest.

The Supreme Court must take concrete steps to open up competition for companies which are interested in electricity distribution business in Karachi. Just like cable operators, new power companies can use same poles, but maintain different lines in Karachi.

Such a policy has proved a huge success in telecommunications sector in which there was rampant corruption, mismanagement, and inefficiency before four to five cellular companies were given licence. The result was better and more efficient service by a new-look PTCL which offers better rates for subscribers with more reliable and courteous customer services.

After a fierce competition in the telecommunications sector, Pakistan has now almost 100 million telephone connections while previously it had only two million lines. The telecommunications sector is now generating billions of dollars for the country, and healthy profit for the companies, with much lower calling rates for public. Through competition in electricity supply, per unit rate would come down to one rupee.

I would urge the government to improve the situation as the economy is suffering heavily due to the fact that 60 per cent of Pakistan’s revenues are generated from Karachi. Owing to power outages, not only the country’s economy is damaged, but people suffer badly such as in schools, hospitals, and homes. It is unbearable to live without electricity for little schoolchildren, the elderly and the sick in this sweltering weather.

Moreover, the KESC has been sending excessive bills to its customers. On the other hand, the electricity supply company is replacing good quality copper wires by cheap metal wires, increasing line losses and voltage fluctuation, short-circuit fires, and damage to expensive electrical appliances and machinery.

Problems have increased after the present KESC management took over charge. It is time a law suit was filed by the public against the KESC for all the damages and loss of lives, revenue and business.

Z.H. EFFENDI Karachi

Electricity for the rich

THIS is apropos of the editorial ‘Electricity for the rich’ (May 18). I fully endorse the comments. It seems that policymakers have started seeing electricity as a ‘luxury’ instead of essential service utility as it is regarded elsewhere in the developing world.

I cannot understand what sort of a mindset could conceive such novel ideas and how much such people are sincere with Pakistan. In a recent news item in Dawn, it was reported that bad management of the energy sector is causing Rs391bn loss a year to the exchequer but as usual nothing happened to correct the situation at policy or regulatory level.

Even the so-called public representatives received this news and never took any notice, as usual. All the political elite is a part of this gross negligence being inflicted upon the Pakistani nation.

It was also reported in Dawn a couple of days ago that as much as two per cent of the GDP growth couldn’t be achieved due to the power crisis.

The mismanagement is becoming one of the major contributors to poverty and unemployment. However, people at the helm of affairs don’t seem to be working to aggravate the situation. I can’t understand why?

MOHAMMAD AMJAD Jubail, Saudi Arabia