Fed up: JI comes out on the streets against KE

Party holds 50 different protests against electricity supplier’s overcharging

KARACHI: Declaring the electricity tariff an ‘injustice against the citizens of Karachi’, Jamat-e-Islami (JI) took to streets on Saturday against K-Electric (KE) demanding a reduction in electricity charges.

A total of 50 protests were held across the city at separate locations, mainly outside the KE offices, by the JI, demanding the electricity provider reduce the charges paid by consumers as the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) had already reduced its base tariff by Rs3.5 from the existing Rs15.57 to Rs12.07 per unit.

JI’s Karachi Information Secretary Zahid Askari, who was protesting along with the JI workers on Shahrae Quaideen at KE’s office, told The Express Tribune that the charges are an injustice with the 25 million people living in Karachi, as rates for electricity are much higher for them as compared to the rest of the country.

He added that the company is making massive profits but there is no relief for its consumers, therefore the federal government and Nepra should make sure KE does not over charge its customers. If this behaviour continues, then KE should be held accountable, Askari added. He said recently KE’s shares have been sold to a Chinese company but any agreement regarding this has not been made public.



On the other hand, the party’s Karachi chief, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, during his address said that only their party has raised its voice against the atrocities and injustices of KE, which is operating in Karachi like a mafia.

Rehman added that it is working like an off-shore company and no one is aware of its owner. He said one should wonder why the Muttahida Qaumi Movement, Pakistan Peoples Party and Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz remain silent about KE. Is it because all these parties have their stakes in KE and do not feel the pain of the public, he said.

He added that these parties did not even oppose the privatisation of KE and this is the reason why the people of Karachi are suffering. Rehman said the company has not increased its power generation and has replaced all the copper wires with aluminum wires but no one questioned the company.

He added that the whole Karachi is complaining about the overbilling but no party or government questioned KE about this. The JI’s Karachi chief added that KE must consider changing their ways to run things in the city and instead of just earning more profit, they should also focus on providing relief to the consumers.

He added that only God knows the how people of Karachi are going to survive the difficult and scorching summer with KE having control of electric supply.