Commissioner to resolve issues of cable operators

Memon assures implementation of agreement signed with K-Electric

KARACHI:

Karachi Commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Memon has assured the Pakistan Cable Operators Association (PCOA) of solving their prevailing issues with K-Electric pertaining to removal of cable wires from poles.
Leaders of the PCOA called on the Karachi commissioner on Wednesday, apprising Memon on how the removal of wires was causing a lot of damage to cable operators.

During the meeting, PCOA representatives recalled that talks had been held between them and K-Electric some time ago in the presence of the Karachi commissioner but it did not yield any results.
They urged the authorities to implement the previously decided agreement, adding that more than 100,000 people were employed in the cable industry and it was a crime to cut wires under the laws of operators.

“WAPDA has formulated a law under which Rs10 per pole is charged. We are ready to pay the fee to K-Electric in the same manner,” the PCOA leaders said. The cable operators also expressed interest in the procurement of poles which are being replaced by the power supplier.

Recognising their problems as genuine, Commissioner Memon assured to solve the issues by ensuring deliberations between K-Electric and the cable operators association. “We will hold an early meeting with K-Electric and resolve the issue after reviewing the arrangements made by PCOA and the power supplier.”

The commissioner assured the participants of the meeting that committees would also be formed at the district level to address the grievances of cable operators. Interacting with the media after the meeting, Commissioner Memon said he was called to attend the meeting after the cable operators association’s press conference on February 22.

“K-Electric had signed an agreement earlier but could not implement it due to lack of communication. We will bring both sides together so that the issue can be resolved amicably,” he said, adding that authorities would not take any action against anyone.

PCOA leaders attending the meeting included Khalid Arain, Ghufran Mujtaba, Saeed Shah and Akhlaq Ahmed. Additional Commissioner Karachi Syed Jawad Muzaffar was also present on the occasion.