KARACHI: Amid growing electricity crisis in the city where power outages have adversely affected citizens in hot and humid weather conditions, the Jamaat-i-Islami on Tuesday announced the re-launch of its campaign against the K-Electric and warned the government and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) that any ‘leniency’ to the power utility despite its ‘poor performance’ would attract strong reaction from citizens of the metropolis.

At a press conference at the party headquarters, JI Karachi chief Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman said ‘extended loadshedding was being carried out in the city despite high tariff and ‘exorbitant’ billing by the KE.

He questioned the role of the regulatory watchdog which ‘never bothered’ about checking the ‘illegal’ business operation of the power utility.

“The KE has been flouting the rules and regulations set by Nepra as well as the law of the state,” he said.

Hafiz Naeem alleges ruling parties have always supported power utility

“As per law the KE can’t deprive a neighbourhood of electricity on the bases that some customers in the area have not paid the bills. Similarly, the company [KE] hasn’t acquired independence in power generation to fulfil the requirements of the mega city.”

In addition, he said, the KE had ‘failed’ to pay liabilities to several organisations and overcharged Karachiites, apart from forcing them to purchase electricity at the most excessive prices as compared to the rest of the country.

“But it’s an irony that the ruling parties in the country have always supported the power utility instead of people of Karachi, who are being exploited due to its monopoly for the past many years. The company which is testing the patience of every single Karachiite is receiving the historical subsidiaries worth Rs170 billion,” said Hafiz Naeem.

“We are with the people of Karachi and for their rights we are re-launching our campaign against this severe power crisis in the city,” he said.

“We believe in a peaceful struggle and exercising all options provided by the Constitution and the law of the land. But at the same time, we also warn the authorities and K-Electric that they should reciprocate the peaceful protest and satisfy the demand of the people. If the situation doesn’t improve, we will definitely check other options.”

Published in Dawn, July 5th, 2023