KARACHI:
Many optimistic Pakistanis are currently finding it exceedingly difficult to find the silver lining in the current situation of Karachi city. Almost a full year has lapsed since K-Electric was held responsible by NEPRA, the power regulator, for the deaths of 20 citizens in Karachi due to electrocution during monsoon rains.
The current monsoon season has just begun, and four people have lost their precious lives due to electrocution. The rage and anger of the residents of Karachi is rapidly increasing but not a single governing body is paying heed towards the public hue and cry. The management seems to be unstirred and it appears that they have forgotten the value of a human life. No visible steps or precautionary measures have been taken to ensure safety during the current heavy rains. Electric power points and other electricity installations continue to remain neglected.
Apart from this, the city administrators also need to look into the deplorable condition of the drainage systems, which gets clogged up with dirt and garbage. It should be a regular practice that the drainage system of the city is cleaned before the monsoon season in order to prevent water from acuminating on roads and streets.
It is of paramount importance that the authorities concerned give special consideration to this issue. The inability of officials to do away with the load-shedding and ensure uninterrupted power supply is a different issue altogether, but they should at least take all possible steps to curtail deaths from electrocution.
Mujtaba Sohail Raja
Published in The Express Tribune, July 20th, 2020.
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