K-ELECTRIC (KE) is a rather unique electricity-providing company that does so many strange things to its consumers that any power supply company in the world would struggle to even imagine to do that to its consumers.

Undoubtedly, the people of Karachi have been enduring several atrocities being committed by the KE over the last several years. From long loadshedding to overbilling, and from tactical bill-making to abrupt power outages, KE does it all.

Besides, there is the fortnightly power shutdown, from morning till evening, in most parts of Karachi on a rotational basis in the name of carrying out ‘maintenance’. Despite this so-called maintenance, abrupt power outages are experienced everywhere in the city. Nowhere in the world does a utility provider company shut down the power supply for the whole day in the name of maintenance. What is the mystery and the actual purpose behind this pain-afflicting power shutdowns?

The federal and provincial governments are indifferent towards people’s woes. They never bother to investigate such issues and do not intervene and punish the KE for its apathy and exploitative practices. Maybe human rights organi- sations should contest a case in this regard.

Anwar Hussain
Karachi

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2024