Govt to take decision on K-Electric privatisation: Asad Umar

Minister holds meeting with held with K-E officials, questions raised by SC discussed

Federal Minister for Planning and Development Asad Umar on Saturday said a decision will be made regarding whether K-Electric (K-E) should remain privatised or be handed over to the federal government.

Talking to media in Karachi, the federal minister said a meeting was held with K-Electric officials to discuss the situation in Karachi, adding that questions and concerns raised by the Supreme Court (SC) were discussed.

He further maintained that in the existing system, the regulator is not subject to the government. However, K-Electric's license can be changed as per the order of the apex court.

He said the power issue was also discussed with Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah and added that the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has the power to increase K-Electric's tariffs, adding that the electricity rates in Karachi will remain the same as the rest of the country.

Referring to the drainage issue in the metropolis, the federal minister said encroachments were made on drains which caused problems during the monsoon showers.

"At the moment, Karachi does not want politics. It just wants to see work being done," he said.

The federal minister recognized that the issues in the country are a result of lack of mutual communication.