Hafiz Naeem slams KE for adding municipal tax in power bills

In a strong objection to the inclusion of municipal taxes in Karachi's electricity bills, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, the leader of Jamat-e-Islami for the city, referred to K-Electric (KE) as a "mafia" during a Monday session of the Karachi City Council.

He criticised the utility company for seemingly operating without oversight from any regulatory authority.

Addressing the assembled local representatives, Rehman, a prominent JI candidate in the city's mayoral race, called for an immediate halt to the collection of municipal taxes through inflated electricity bills imposed on Karachi residents.

Read More: K-Electric sees no impact of inflation on power bills

The session was presided over by Mayor Karachi Murtaza Wahab of the Pakistan Peoples Party, Express News reported.

During his speech, Rehman highlighted several challenges faced by the port city, including water scarcity and a deteriorating sanitation system, emphasising the need for accountability in the Sindh Solid Waste System.

He expressed disappointment that local representatives had to appeal for attention to their concerns from officials in central positions within the provincial waste management system.

Read More: Efforts on to find solution, use of solid waste

Alleging the presence of a "parallel system" in the province without providing specific details, he claimed that individuals with Karachi domicile were not being appointed to director positions in various provincial government bodies.

Moreover, the JI leader characterised the water corporation as an unruly entity and suggested that its operations should be brought under the oversight of the town chairmen.