Labour-related problems: Govt commits to protect KESC installations

PM forms a committee to find solution to utility’s troubles.

ISLAMABAD:

The federal and provincial governments will ensure full protection to KESC installations, offices and personnel, Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani said while chairing a meeting to look into the affairs of the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) on Friday.

The meeting also decided to form a committee, comprising representatives of key stakeholders, to discuss the utilty’s labour-related issues and find solution to problems in minimum possible time.

Highlighting the government’s privatisation policy, Gilani said it was geared towards improved service delivery in a cost-effective manner.

“This approach will extend appropriate opportunities to the private sector in improving their business and commercial benchmarks as well as customer satisfaction.”

Reiterating the government’s determination to create a business-friendly environment, the prime minister said that economic incentives were equally vital for encouraging investment in all sectors.

The government, he said, would continue to support public-private partnership in all sectors to improve the quality of goods and services.

During the meeting, the KESC management was told to make all out efforts to improve the supply of electricity.

Earlier, Minister for Water and Power Naveed Qamar briefed the meeting on the current electricity supply situation in Karachi and KESC’s labour-related problems.

Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Farooq Sattar called for stabilising the power supply in the Sindh metropolis and said it was affecting the commercial and industrial sectors.

Minister for Finance Dr Hafeez Shaikh also called for quickly resolving KESC’s issues.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik briefed the meeting about the law and order situation arising out of KESC affairs and proposed to take all stakeholders including political forces on board for early settlement of the issues.

The meeting was also attended by the chairman of Nepra, the secretary of water and power and the Sindh chief secretary.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 11^th, 2011.