HYDERABAD: Senior Sindh Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has expressed his serious concern over ongoing power crisis in the province and asked all power utilities to stop collective punishment of their consumers. He was speaking to journalists at his Tandojam residence on Monday.
He noted that Hyderabad was currently experiencing 20 hours of power loadshedding a day which was badly affecting people’s routine life.
“This prolonged loadshedding by power distribution companies tantamount to collective punishment which is unconstitutional and illegal,” he said, and urged the federal government to rein in the K-Electric, Hesco (Hyderabad Electric Supply Company) and Sepco (Sukkur Electric Power Company).
The minister observed that these utilities are facing serious management issues, and said the federal government should hold them accountable for their poor performance and offer relief to common people. “If electricity theft is reported, then only errant consumers should face punishment,” he argued.
Terms 20 hours of loadshedding in Hyderabad ‘collective punishment’; argues only errant consumers should face action; wants federal govt to hold KE, Hesco and Sepco accountable for their poor performance
He also condemned blockade of roads by affected power consumers for holding protest demonstrations.
“Road blockades in the name of protest have become a trend, causing inconvenience to others,” he said. He, however, added that government should uphold rule of law and ensure protection of people’s fundamental rights.
Memon said that Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has put all departments and agencies concerned on alert in view of upcoming monsoon rains.
Cuts in federal funds
Sharjeel Memon noted that the federal government could not meet its revenue collection target, and that’s why development funds were slashed and provincial shares were also affected. Still, he added, Sindh government increased salaries of employees by 12pc. He said the government aims to offer relief to farmers as well, admitting that such relief was much needed because of inflation. The minister was critical of the meager allocations for the Sukkur-Hyderabad section of motorway, saying: “This indicates that the federal government is not interested in building this part of the motorway.
Commenting on political situation in the country, the senior Sindh minister pointed out that Pakistan recently achieved a great historic victory in its conflict with India, and said such a triumph should be demonstrated in economic sector as well.
He was of the view that federal and provincial governments would have to work jointly to face this economic challenge now after this victory.
He said political leaderships should show maturity as it would ensure the country’s progress. “It’s time for political forces to shun their petty differences. Pakistan needs policies that could arrest economic decline,” he said.
“There is no race under way for the slot of prime minister … people should not become ambitious in their pursuit for powers at this critical time … it’s government’s responsibility to take opposition on board in order to help country face challenges,” he remarked.
Published in Dawn, july 1st, 2025