The Jamaat-e-Islami’s Karachi chapter on Tuesday set a three-day deadline for the K-Electric over prolonged power outages in the city amid the ongoing extreme weather conditions.
“After the deadline, in case the KE fails to rectify its mistake, protests across the city will be held under a coordinated protest drive against the nexus of the government, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority, and the KE,” warned JI Karachi chief Hafiz Naeem Ur Rehman, while addressing a press conference at Idara-e-Noor Haq.
The JI leader demanded of the three -- the federal government, Nepra, and KE -- to bring an end to the what he called “exploitation” of Karachi residents to escape a strong backlash.
He also demanded of the authorities to halt the process of “overbilling and load-shedding”. “Overall, the situation in Karachi is alarming due to announced and unannounced load-shedding both in the day and night timings. The situation on the ground is that 70 per cent of customers of the KE are facing load-shedding.”
He said the government had failed to provide any relief to the Karachiities. “The then KESC was privatised to end load-shedding, but despite the passage of 16 long years, the KE was able to increase the production of electricity by 11 per cent only.”
Power protest
Residents of Afghan Basti near Maymar held a protest against the K-Electric (KE) and the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB). The residents complained how they did not get power and water at their homes.
They reportedly burned tyres, blocked roads and surrounded the KE’s Gadap Office. The traffic movement towards Maymar came to a standstill for hours due to the protest.