In line with its anti-theft drive, the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) removed more than 5,000 illegal connections in operations in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Taiser Town and Khuda Ki Basti. According to a statement issued by the power utility, a large number of KESC and police personnel participated in the operations. Around 4,500 metres of telephone wire, 1,500 metres of power cable, 26 kilogrammes of twin core cable, and a number of bamboo and iron poles used for the connections were also confiscated. Earlier, the KESC distributed thousands of new connection forms in these areas, offering cheap price with easy mode of payment via two equal instalments.
After conducting surveys in the areas having huge network of illegal hook connections, the KESC found that around 70 per cent of electricity supplied to these areas is being stolen, whereas legal consumers owe huge outstanding bills to the KESC. The illegal users were served disconnection notices; however, operations were conducted only after the residents showed no response.
The places from where illegal connections have been removed include villages surrounding Khuda Ki Basti and Taiser Town, Ahmed Goth, Siddique Goth, 52 Ki Patti, Gulshan-e-Surjani, Gulshan-e-Noor, Taj Goth and Memon Goth (Hasan Brohi Goth). In Gulshan-e-Iqbal, ‘kunda’ removal operation was conducted in Rehmatia Colony, 13/D-2, Custom Collector PMT (Benazir Basti), Jumma Goth and Block-11 near Wonder Tower. Meanwhile, the KESC has also lodged an FIR over power theft under the Electricity Act. The power company maintains that the KESC suffers huge revenue loss due to the existence of this web of illegal hook connections.
The KESC has urged the illegal electricity users to utilise the opportunity of cheaper new connections and get their consumption regularised so as to avoid the unpalatable consequences. “Taking advantage of the offer, such illegal users can remove the stigma of power theft upon them and they can play their due role in improvement of overall electricity supply to the general public,” said the statement.
Previously, too, the KESC has launched operations across various kunda-infested points of Manghopir Road near New Sultanabad and Jawedan Factory, only to be met with the wrath of the illegal electricity users, who violently blocked their operations. The KESC has been condemning such negative reactions and asking the saner elements of society to support the utility’s efforts in ending the menace of electricity theft, which is causing hindrances in the smooth flow of power supply to honest consumers and resulting in massive financial loss to the electricity company.
