Theft tax

Electricity theft is a persistent problem in the North Nazimabad area of Karachi. Despite hundreds of complaints and numerous visits by K-Electric workers to disconnect illegal lines, the culprits invariably manage to reconnect and resume their theft. Many of them belong to nearby informal settlements where the residents often cannot afford their own supply of electricity. In fact, given the soaring power prices, even many middle-class families are hard pressed when it comes to paying for electricity. However, this still does not justify theft. The stolen power is charged to honest consumers, inflating our bills despite our careful efforts to limit usage during peak hours.

This rampant theft drains our city's resources and forces genuine taxpayers to shoulder an unfair burden. Our bills remain inflated throughout the year and our area has now been shortlisted among those slated for regular loadshedding. It is high time authorities take decisive action. We demand stricter enforcement of laws, transparent billing practices and policies that address not only the theft and the economic pressures that fuel it.

Faiqa Khan

Karachi