Jamaat chief accuses K-Electric of extortion

Siraj invites Sindh governor to join sit-in against power outages, over-billing

KARACHI: Amir Jamaat-e-Islami Senator Sirajul Haq has asked Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair to join him in the sit-in if he could not resolve the issue of power outages, over-billing and other misdeeds of K-Electric.

He said this while addressing the JI's sit-in against the power company which entered into second day on Sunday at the Governor House.

Siraj also asked the president to show some courage and resolve the issue of his own city.

“Mr President, if you are also unable to resolve the burning problems of your own city, then you should get your address changed, at least at your computerised national identity card,” he said.



The sit-in at the Governor House is part of the JI's continued campaign against the power company which the party leaders blamed for extorting money from Karachiites since its inception.

The second day featured several speeches, sketches and other programmes. A large number of people from all walks of life participated in the protest.

The JI Amir congratulated Karachiites for holding the sit-in. He said: “The sit-in is not only representing aspiration of the citizens of Karachi, but of the entire country.”

“The entire country is facing power-related issues. People have been suffering from power outages, as load-shedding has made the lives of people miserable throughout the country.”



SIraj said contrary to other parties, the JI was not for sale. “We are committed to providing relief to people.”

He said hardships being faced by the people across the country were a gift by the ruling regime.

Talking about KE, he said the company's profit was increasing day by day in several folds but the company was compelling citizens to face acute hardships.

“During last decade, the company has extorted such a massive amount from people that the people can be provided with electric free of cost for the next five years.”



“Nowadays, students are suffering most from the misdeeds of the company.” He also held the generator mafia responsible for providing support to the status quo.

He said there was no shortage of electricity in real terms but the power company, in violation of rules, was not producing power to its fullest capacity.

Siraj said KE had been using defected meters that ran on excessive speed. He further said KE was receiving hefty amounts illegally in the name of meter rent.

The JI leader recalled that the PML-N had promised in 2013 to end load-shedding within three months.



Addressing Premier Nawaz Sharif, he said the prime minister and his party had misled people just for the sake of votes. He said the issue of power shortage was the same across the country despite the fact that the country was able to produce electricity more than its needs; however, the incompetency and wrong policies of the government were responsible for the prevailing situation.

He further said that the JI was a democratic party. He urged people to join ranks with the party, if they wanted a sustainable positive change in society.

Addressing the protesters, former SHC chief justice and prominent figure Justice (retd) Wajihuddin regretted that the case filed by the JI against KE had been pending before the country's top court for a long year.

He termed KE a mafia and said signing JI's petition against KE was an honour for him. He asked the top court to hear the petition against the power company and issue orders on it.



JI Karachi chief Engineer Naeem said the party was committed with the residents of Karachi and the cause of Karachi. He vowed to get back lights and culture of the city.

He said the ruling PPP regime and its former partner not only shelter the misdeeds of the company but are also hand in glove with the KE administration.

He also said the JI's drive is aimed at compelling the company to pay back Rs200 billion it had received from the citizens illegally. He added the governor had also asked us to hold dialogue with the power company and we agreed in principle but we were not ready to observe the magic show of the company any more.

“The dialogue with the company will only be held, if the federal government ensures seriousness and fruitfulness of these rounds of talks,” he said.



He added that KE has to payback Rs17 billion to its consumers in Karachi under the head of clawback, Rs13 billion charged as double bank charges, Rs11 billion under illegal meter rent and Rs5 billion subsidy which had to be provided to the consumers of KE.

He further said dues payable to national institutions and tax authorities are separate from these dues.

JI Sindh's deputy chief Muhammad Hussain Mehnati also addressed the sit-in. He shed light in detail on the misdeeds, being committed by the power company.

Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz's labour leader Ghulam Mustafa also participated in the sit-in and announced his joining the JI. He said that the KE is directly responsible for demise of two of his comrades. He further said that he wanted to participate in Jihad against the misdeeds of KE and currently the JI is the only party engage in serious struggle against the crimes of KE. Several labor leaders also addressed the protesters.

Earlier on the second day of JI`s sit-in outside the Governor House, various organisations -- including traders, members of civil society and political parties leaders visited the demonstration site to express solidarity with the JI’s protest drive against K-Electric.

Apart from several speeches, sketches and other programs were also held.