Hundreds of irritated consumers of Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) in the Ibrahim Hyderi area took to streets on Tuesday against disconnection of power supply by the company for alleged power theft. Facing hours’ long power breakdowns, the disgruntled people blocked the main Korangi Crossing for all kinds of traffic. Protesting against the KESC, they claimed that the power company had disconnected electricity supply despite regular payments of dues. The residents demanded early restoration of power supply as the area was facing acute water shortage due to the power outage. The mob, however, dispersed peacefully after negotiations with the police and the KESC authorities.
Blockade of roads for protests against KESC and prolonged load shedding has become a daily routine in Karachi, while the power company seems unable to deal with the issue. During the protest, a large number of people faced inconvenience in returning to their homes while a number of ambulances were seen stuck in the massive traffic jam. Meanwhile, the KESC has asked the “defaulters of Ibrahim Hyderi” to pay bills instead of resorting to violence. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the power utility condemned the violent agitation and blocking of traffic by the defaulters of Ibrahim Hyderi Goth, who instead of reaching an agreement with the power company for clearance of their longstanding dues resorted to vandalism.
It was stated that the 973 defaulting power consumers have outstanding bills worth Rs 83.2 million. “These power customers not only have been refraining from paying their previous bills but are also defaulting on their current monthly bills on a regular basis. The KESC had sent them several notices and even worked out a solution for the defaulters on soft terms, asking them to pay their current bills plus a nominal instalment of Rs 500 each. However, instead of taking up this offer, the area residents flatly refused to pay even according to this solution, which could be seen from the fact that only five percent of the customers defaulting expressed acceptance,” it was claimed.
“Given the above situation, the KESC was left with no option but to disconnect the power supply to the area, but the defaulters did not work out a payment solution with the utility and rather resorted to violence and agitation, taking the law in their hands,” the statement added. The KESC claimed that its local area office in Korangi was also attacked by the protesting mob, which led to disruption in customer services operation. The power utility stated that the power defaulters not paying for the electricity cannot be provided free electricity and urged all such free loaders to refrain from evading payments because the KESC has “zero tolerance policy” against such defaulters.
