KE cuts railways supply over unpaid bills

The power utility put the pliers to the Pakistan Railways electricity lines over the nonpayment of bills.

As a result, the online ticket booking system, signal system and schedule of 38 passenger trains running daily from Karachi was affected on Tuesday.

"KE urged Pakistan Railways authorities to clear outstanding dues of Rs430 million accumulated against 31 connections since May 2024, as it is unsustainable to continue electricity supply without any payments," the power utility said in a statement.

It said that KE has previously served notices and disconnected defaulting connections on multiple occasions. Supply has been restored on undertakings provided by railway authorities with the assurance of clearing outstanding dues and timely payment of monthly bills. However, despite accommodating Pakistan railways, these commitments have been dishonored time and again.

In such circumstances, KE will have no option but to indefinitely disconnect defaulting connections until payments are received

However, the railways officer in the city stated that KE owes them billions of rupees in unpaid rent for power installations on railways lands and they would stop paying power bills if the utility does not pay them the rent.

Pakistan Railways Karachi Divisional Superintendent Muhammad Nasir Khalili told the media that the dispute with KE has intensified, leading to power suspension to various colonies and important systems of PR.

Khalili said online ticket booking system of PR Karachi Division has been suspended. "The power shutdown can delay timings of passenger and freight trains."

The daily operation of 38 passenger trains departing from Karachi was affected on Tuesday, resulting in a loss of Rs60 million per day for the railways.

Approximately 35,000 passengers are facing travel difficulties daily. Pakistan Railways said that KE has to pay Pakistan Railways Rs70 billion for the last 10 years, for which several notices have been issued, but the dues have not been cleared as yet.

The monthly rent for KE grid stations, substations, and underground cables, and other facilities, located on PR land, amounts to almost Rs100 million. The power utility delays the payments, additionally, KE has not paid its current dues of more than Rs1 billion over one years.

Khalili said other institutions pay their dues regularly. Pakistan Railways has received Rs215 million from Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and Rs111 million from Pakistan Telecommunication Limited (PTCL) In addition, a total of Rs600 million has been received from other institutions including the Sindh government. Khalili said a final notice has been issued to KE, and if it does not pay its monthly dues, PR will stop paying electric bills.