Pasban Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the National Electric Power Regulator Authority (NEPRA) of advocating for private power companies instead of safeguarding public interests during a protest against K-Electric’s alleged poor performance and monopoly.
Addressing a demonstration in North Karachi today, PDP Karachi President Abdul Hakim Quaid termed the power company’s monopoly and the alleged silence of government bodies a “joke with the citizens.” He stressed that residents are paying rising electricity prices while also enduring constant power cuts in both summer and winter.
Mr. Quaid demanded an immediate open audit of K-Electric to bring the facts to light and said the company should be subjected to public accountability. The party urged an end to unannounced loadshedding and a stop to what they termed as “over-billing.”
The protest, organized by Pasban’s District Central chapter in the 11-J area, was in response to prolonged power outages, excessive billing, and other severe difficulties faced by residents. The demonstration was attended by a large number of party workers and local residents, including Muhammad Aslam and Rizwan-ul-Haq.
According to the PDP leader, the utility company’s actions have made citizens’ lives miserable, and hours of unannounced power cuts have become routine in the areas of District Central. He highlighted the injustice of residents receiving hefty bills despite the lack of a reliable power supply, also noting that the power outages are affecting the studies of higher education students during exams.
During the demonstration, participants held banners with slogans criticizing K-Electric and appealed for immediate government intervention. Mr. Quaid concluded with a warning that the scope of the protests would be widened if the issues are not resolved.