JI slams Nepra decision to extend KE licence by 20 years
Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi chief Hafiz Naeemur Rehman on Tuesday censured the caretaker government and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) for granting a 20-year extension in the power distribution licence of K-Electric, and announced challenging the “unlawful and illegal” decision in court.
Speaking at a press conference at the JI Karachi head office, Rehman said Nepra’s decision is nothing short of enmity with the city and its residents. He said that such a big deal is quite unlawful in the absence of an elected government. He also said KE is at the top when it comes to line losses, expensive electricity production and load-shedding. He pointed out that KE owes Rs177 billion to the Water and Power Development Authority, Rs662 billion to the National Transmission & Despatch Company, and Rs52 billion to Karachiites. He vowed that the JI would end KE’s monopoly if the party comes into power. The JI leader lamented that Karachi is facing an acute shortage of gas. He pointed out that his party had also held a protest sit-in outside the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) headquarters in the city. He said the SSGC has notified a committee to address the problems, including overcharging, adding that the party welcomes the development. He appealed to the city’s residents to approach the JI to resolve their issues, particularly over-billing. Referring to Monday’s incident in which a jobless man shot his wife and minor kids dead before hanging himself, he urged people to redirect their anger by becoming a part of the resistance against the ruling elite responsible for the prevailing situation. Commenting on political manoeuvring, he asked the establishment to take notice of the political meandering on the part of some elements within the state institutions. He said that the bond between the state institutions and the people weakens when some elements take part in synthetically enlarging the size of some parties and cutting to size the others. Unfortunately, he added, it seems that some elements are pumping air in already ruptured political balloons. “It won’t be fair if elements in the establishment manipulate the electoral process in favour of the parties involved in target killings, terrorism, extortion and torching factories.” Rehman pointed out that people are already very frustrated due to lawlessness, poverty and joblessness, so such measures would further discredit the entire electoral process, resulting in a long-lasting loss for the country and its residents.
He demanded that the Election Commission of Pakistan ensure free and fair elections in the country, as is its obligation, and also ensure that there is no political meandering and manoeuvring in the name of level playing field.
He said Karachi has 96 powerful seats in the national and provincial assemblies, and it has the potential to decide the future course of action in politics.
He urged Karachiites not to divide their votes, as there would be no reserved seats for independent candidates and their votes would serve the Pakistan Democratic Movement parties.
He also announced that the JI would hold a power show at Bagh-e-Jinnah on January 28. He said the convention would decide the city’s political future, adding that JI Pakistan chief Sirajul Haq would speak on the occasion, and also at multiple political gatherings on January 25.
