PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI:
At the very first press conference of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s new Rabita Committee, the members chose to talk about the power crisis instead of their new setup.
MQM leader Haider Abbas Rizvi addressed the news conference at Khursheed Begum Memorial Secretariat on Monday. After introducing the five new members of the committee, Rizvi avoided questions on the massive re-organisation the party witnessed during the past week - its Karachi Tanzeemi Committee and Rabita Committee were both dissolved, and restructured on Sunday.
Increased power cuts
Rizvi held the directors of the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) responsible for the recent gas shortage in the city that is causing severe power cuts.
He was relatively easy on the Karachi Electric Supply Company, saying they have their own loadshedding and billing issues to deal with. It was a deliberate attempt to create an artificial power and water crisis in Karachi, he said, as the new members - Nisar Panhwar, Aslam Khan Afridi, Khalid Sultan, Mian Atiq, and Adil Khan - nodded their heads in agreement.
There are two angles to the current power situation in Karachi: political and financial, claimed Rizvi. “Around 90 million cubic feet gas has been passed on from the SSGC to the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited. This should be investigated.”
The Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) is also witnessing a shortfall of 70 to 90 million cubic feet. “No one can put one city into darkness to give light to another. This should be resolved,” he demanded.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 28th, 2013.
COMMENTS (11)
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the only reason that we are able to have such an intellectually stimulating discussion without any ayeen bayeen saheen is because of the absence of PTI trolls. Let the trolls be absent :)
i am wondering where all these pti trolls... SSGC head in protest with PTI held hostage KESC to punish Karachi for their loss at election. shame on both of you...
http://tribune.com.pk/story/555348/most-citizens-report-over-10-hours-of-load-shedding/
@Ash very good catch. Yes, why is there a PUN in the title? I agree with Ash that this indeed was deliberate because of the single quotes around the word power.
Newspapers are in the business to inform not to create opinion. Why deviate from your mandate of free and fair reporting?
Great work by MQM ..... Thanks to Mr Altaf Hussain & MQM.
Well done MQM.
ET - The heading of this news is a bit misleading and I am sure it was deliberate. MQM is the only voice for people of Karachi and they are concerned about something we are most affected. I fully support this move!
Mr. Rizvi, you, and your party has been in Federal as well as Provincial government for over ten years. Let's start with you in particular, tell us what have you or your party has done to curb loading shedding, or increase power. Don't come back until you or your party has answer about your performance on this particular issue. It is about time people like you should be held responsible for their performance.
I would like to thank MQM on behalf of the Karachiites, that they raised the very important issue and Governor Sindh who immediately took note on the prevailing power crisis and ordered to end the additional loadshedding in the City
MQM has come through once more for the real issue of Karachiites. Where it mattered the most, the party has delivered time and time again. The dedication of MQM to the cause of the "real issues" of Karachi must be highlighted by the media more than spreading negative hype about the movement. MQM is one of its kind in Pakistan - truly worthy of an standing ovation. A huge round of applause for the MQM. A job done great!
Thank you MQM for owning us!!