KARACHI: The Jamaat-i-Islami has sought resignations of Sindh Governor Imran Ismail, Federal Minister Asad Umar, lawmakers of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan elected from Karachi for failing to resolve power crisis in the city despite tall claims.

Addressing a press conference at party headquarters Idara Noor-i-Haq, JI Karachi chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rahman asked the government to immediately withdraw the proposed increase of Rs3 per unit in power tariff, initiate forensic audit, cancel licence of K-Electric and nationalise the power utility.

He said that the JI would stage 400 protest demonstrations at different spots in Karachi from Thursday (today) against KE and the government and also keep monitoring loadshedding situation in the city.

Uninterrupted power supply could not be maintained by KE even after assurances by the Sindh governor and a sit-in by the PTI and the MQM, he said.

Asks govt to withdraw proposed increase of Rs3 per unit in power tariff

He claimed that KE had been given “free hand to loot” consumers, while on other hand KE as a private sector entity was “provided a subsidy of Rs90 billion annually”, which he described as a “licence” to plunder national exchequer.

Hafiz Naeem said that 100 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) natural gas in addition to 290mmcfd had been supplied to the KE, but the power entity continued to carry out hours-long loadshedding in Karachi.

“Contrary to it, the KE, under the garb of failure, has announced a technical fault occurred at 130 megawatt Bin Qasim power plant, which is a mockery.

“The Pakistan State Oil has also been complaining that KE had never informed its fuel requirements in time as it is mandatory to inform about stock position prior to 30 days,” he added.

He said that during the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority public hearing, KE chief executive officer Moonis Alvi had admitted that they had oil storage capacity of 120,000 tonnes, which is sufficient to run all furnace plants for one month.

“The KE in an effort to save billions of rupees is not storing fuel, but inflicting on consumers long hours of loadshedding.”

He also alleged that Abraaj Group chief Arif Naqvi had been providing funds to the PTI for the general elections.

Naib emir Dr Osama Razi, emir district south and JI member Sindh Assembly Abdul Rasheed and public aid committee vice president Imran Shahid also addressed the meeting.

Published in Dawn, July 16th, 2020