Interim CM urges KE to generate cheap electricity

Baqar tells sugar sector to improve competitiveness, investments coming from the Gulf

KARACHI:

Caretaker Sindh Chief Minister Justice (retd) Maqbool Baqar has urged K-Electric to generate cheap electricity by using local fuel, including renewable sources of energy, so that people could heave a sigh of relief in power bills.

He also urged the KE to guide their customers to use such appliances, including fans and LED bulbs which consume less electricity so that their burden of heavy bills could be curtailed. 

This he said while presiding over a meeting of KE to resolve their issues and work out a strategy to provide uninterrupted cheap electricity to the people of Karachi. The meeting was attended by Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab, PSCM Agha Wasif, Secretary Finance Kazim Jatoi, Commissioner Karachi Saleem Rajput, Adl IG Karachi Khadim Rind, Secretary Energy Fayaz Abbasi, KE CEO Monis Alvi, Tariq Shah of Energy dept, Shabar Zedi and others.

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The KE CEO Monis Alvi told the CM that the tariff hike and power theft have shrunk power consumption by five per cent and decreased recoveries by 3.4 per cent. The CM said that he would also talk to the federal government to remove the burden of the Rs3.20 PHL surcharge. 

The KE Chief told the CM that 174 instances of mob attacks on KE staff have been recorded, therefore he requested protection. At this, the CM directed Additional IGP Karachi Khadim Rind to provide protection to KE staff. The Additional IG Police said that KE has a separate police station with an SHO, and ample police staff. The CM directed the Adl IGP to functionalise the KE Police station

Sugar Industry

Caretaker CM Baqar has said that his priority is centred on promoting continuous technological improvements and upgradation to increase the competitiveness of the agriculture sector, including the sugar industry.

He highlighted Pakistan's establishment of a high-powered 'Special Investment Facilitation Council' to attract investments from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations in various sectors, including defence, agriculture, minerals, IT, and energy. This announcement was made during his address at the 55th Annual Convention of the Pakistan Society of Sugar Technologists (PSST).

Baqar emphasised his dedication to directing investments towards improving the productivity and competitiveness of Sindh's agriculture sector, including sugar production, as a member of the SIFC's Apex Committee. He stressed the importance of cross-sectoral collaborations to alleviate the challenges faced by the population due to inflation.

He also commended the PSST for sharing knowledge and ideas within the sugar technologists' community through workshops, seminars, and annual conventions. Justice Baqar highlighted the growth of the sugar industry in Sindh, with 33 sugar mills and significant sugarcane production.

Crackdown against narcotics

Interim CM Baqar presiding over a meeting of the Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department directed them to launch an operation against the drug mafia and coordinate with other concerned agencies to avert the menace.

"The drug peddling in the educational institutions and presence of drug addicts in the parks and markets are unacceptable, therefore the Excise police in collaboration with district police and Anti-Narcotics Force must start a clean-up operation," Baqar said ordering weekly progress reports.

He issued these directives on Monday while presiding over a meeting of the Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department at CM House. The meeting was attended by PSCM Agha Wasif, Secretary Excise Atif Rehman, DG Excise Waheed Shaikh, and others.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2023.