K-Electric CEO Loses Temper During Parliamentary Committee Hearing
The K-Electric CEO appeared before the parliamentary committee following a warning from Sindh Interior Minister Zia Lanjar.
K-Electric CEO Syed Moonis Abdullah Alvi reportedly lost his temper during the Parliamentary Committee Hearing on Thursday.
The K-Electric CEO appeared before a parliamentary committee on Thursday following a warning from Sindh Interior Minister Zia Lanjar.
Recently, residents across various city areas protested against prolonged power outages and inadequate water supply, particularly during a heatwave when temperatures felt as high as 50 degrees Celsius.
In June, the provincial government instructed K-Electric to avoid nighttime load shedding in Karachi, urging the company not to cut power between 10 PM and 6 AM.
On Wednesday, Dawn reported that the provincial assembly’s Public Accounts Committee recommended taking action against K-Electric for failing to pay over Rs29 billion in outstanding dues to the government.
During the meeting, the K-Electric CEO expressed frustration, stating, “We are ready to surrender; cancel our license and let the government supply electricity itself.”
He pointed out that load shedding occurs under the regulator’s oversight, yet it does not set the rates, leaving committee members silent.
PTI MPA Muhammad Shabbir Qureshi criticized the CEO, arguing that he was imposing load shedding on citizens while attributing it to electricity theft. “You have the resources to stop power theft,” he stated, accusing K-Electric of evading accountability and shifting the burden onto the public.
PPP lawmaker Muhammad Farooq Awan raised concerns about water supply issues in Karachi, noting that agreements made in a previous meeting had not been implemented. He highlighted problems in the Dumloti area, which serves three districts and suffers from 18 hours of load shedding, as well as issues at the Malir Cantonment water pump that complicate water distribution.
Awan questioned the billing system, claiming the government has failed to differentiate between paying and non-paying consumers. He argued that it is unjust for those who pay their bills to face penalties due to the defaults of others.
He suggested that water pumps should be exempt from power cuts to guarantee a continuous water supply.
In response, Sindh government spokesperson Sadia Javed acknowledged the complaints about K-Electric and emphasized the need for solutions to the ongoing issues. She urged attendees to present practical proposals to address these challenges.
