‘Power’ politics persist as Karachi suffers

Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Shaikh lambasted the federal government on Thursday, holding it responsible for the electricity crisis in Karachi and the performance of K-Electric (KE).

Reacting to Energy Minister Omar Ayub's address in the National Assembly on the day, Shaikh said that Ayub was responsible for the terrible performance of the energy department's subordinate institutions, including the power division.

He demanded an explanation about who was responsible for extensive unannounced load-shedding, broken wires and unearthed poles, resulting in electrocution deaths, in Karachi.

Shaikh further demanded that Ayub outlined Centre's actions against KE so far, claiming that it, too, was responsible for the situation as it held 26 per cent shares in KE and its representatives were included in the power utility's board.

He went on to say that the Sindh government had written to the energy ministry and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority on the matter but had not yet received any response.

Shaikh added that one of the reasons behind the surge in load-shedding was the Centre's ban on importing furnace oil, which spoke of its "poor strategy and mismanagement."

Accusing Ayub of misrepresenting facts, he clarified that electrocution deaths in the recent rainfall were a consequence of broken electricity wires and not flooding.

MQM-P joins PTI protest

Meanwhile, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) joined Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf's (PTI's) protest camp against KE, as it entered its fourth day.

Speaking at the protest, Sindh Assembly opposition leader Firdous Shamim Naqvi said that KE had failed in its primary responsibility of ensuring uninterrupted electricity supply to Karachi.

He pointed out that excessive load-shedding continued to plague the city even when commercial activities remained partly suspended and electricity demand in the city was reduced by 33 per cent.

Naqvi questioned why no new power plant for generating electricity for the metropolis had been in many years, holding Pakistan Peoples Party co-chairperson Asif Ali Zardari responsible for the "mismanagement."

Urging the PM to send a minister to Karachi and resolve the crisis at the earliest, he also called for an audit of KE's financial assets.

Meanwhile, MQM-P leader Kanwar Naveed Jameel demanded that NEPRA take measures to resolve Karachi's electricity woes.

"The price of electricity has been increased for KE consumers, even when fuel prices have gone down," he pointed out, adding that the party would raise the issue with the PM during a meeting scheduled on Tuesday while also staging a protest against KE in Islamabad on the day.

KE official suspended

On the other hand, KE suspended an official over the death of a motorcyclist who was electrocuted on Karsaz Road amid heavy rainfall on Wednesday.

Muhammad Rafiq, 50, was killed after an electricity wire fell on him.

Expressing grief over the incident, the KE spokesperson said that further investigation of the matter was underway. However, he also insisted that most electrocution deaths reported during Wednesday's downpour were caused by faults in internal wiring of structures, for which KE was not responsible.

He further said that KE was quick to mobilise its teams after Rafiq's death and had been in touch with his family.

At least six electrocution deaths were reported on Wednesday, and another on Monday.

Citizens take to the streets

Meanwhile, with no end in sight to load-shedding, the exasperated residents of Ancholi staged a sit-in on Sharae Pakistan on Wednesday night.

Disgruntled protesters slammed K-Electric (KE) for prolonged electricity suspensions, saying that the first spell of monsoon rains in the city had exposed its inefficiency. Complaining of various localities of Federal B Area being deprived of electricity for 16 hours, they said that they suffered due to intermittent power cuts all year around and especially following rain.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2020.