Sindh govt asks KE to ‘mend its ways’

Energy minister, PPP lawmakers hold meeting with power utility officials over prolonged power outages

KARACHI:

Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh on Tuesday summoned the top management of the K Electric in his office on the worst load shedding being carried out in Karachi.

The energy minister was instructed by Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to call a meeting with the power utility and ask them to take concrete steps to end prolonged and unannounced loadshedding in the city.

The meeting was attended by Sindh Labour Minister Saeed Ghani, Sindh Chief Minister's Special Assistant Waqar Mehdi, National Assembly Member Nabil Gabol, Sindh Assembly Member Javed Naguri, Liaquat Ali Askani, PPP South District Leader Khalil Hot and other leaders. KE Chief Executive Officer Monis Alvi and other senior officers of the power utility were also present in the meeting, while Sindh Energy Secretary Abu Bakar Madani also attended the meeting.

The members of the assembly expressed their displeasure over the recent worst load shedding and demanded that KE take responsibility for prolonged and unannounced load shedding in the scorching heat.

Sheikh said KE officers should mend its ways and take steps to provide immediate relief to the people.

He clarified that the Sindh government wants to save its citizens from the scourge of load shedding. "KE should fulfill its responsibilities," he added. On the occasion, Sindh Labour Minister Saeed Ghani said that due to the performance of KE, it is difficult for heat-stricken people to stay at home. "If there is no electricity, there is no water," he said.

The assembly members said that 14 to 20 hours load shedding is taking place in the city and demanded that the power utility should find out solution to this worst load shedding. The KE CEO explained the causes of power shortfall and load shedding in the meeting.

KE faces challenges

Later in the day, a statement issued by the power utility said that despite facing financial constraints, KE has made another payment of Rs500 million to Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) June 29, bringing the total payout to over Rs6 billion during the month.

Commenting on this KE Spokesperson said, "Despite ongoing financial challenges, KE continues to make payments to its fuel suppliers. We have made another payment of Rs500 million to the SSGC on Wednesday, June 29, 2022."

Regarding the meeting on Wednesday, the spokesperson said Sindh energy minister and political parties' representatives were also apprised of the rising demand and supply gap owing to the surge in temperature as well as because of the shortage of imported fuel for power production.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 30^th, 2022.