KARACHI:
As a resident of Karachi, I was happy and hopeful about the prime minister’s recent visit to the city. This meant that Karachiites’ long-standing grievances would finally be heard, and they might see an end to the oppression they have faced for decades. However, the recent increase in electricity rates is yet another injustice meted out to Karachiites. Alas, the prime minister who asserted his right over the city and promised to become its voice failed to do anything for the people of Karachi.
The massive increase in electricity prices because of International Monetary Fund (IMF) conditions and revolving loans is an unjust burden being passed onto Karachiites who are already struggling. K-Electric is a private organisation that is not involved in revolving loans so why are the people of Karachi being punished for the inefficiency of other distribution companies (DISCOs)? Why is Karachi responsible for the incompetence of these institutions?
Why did none of our elected representatives raise this issue? Why did no one question the Prime minister about the surcharge being levied on all consumers? K-Electric has been imposed upon us against our will and now we have to bear the burden of other DISCOs as well. We appeal to the government of Karachi to withdraw the increased rates immediately as it is unjust and illegal to impose the inefficiency of the public sector on the consumers of a private company.
Syed Adil
Karachi
Published in The Express Tribune, July 29th, 2023.
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