KARACHI: Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar expressed frustration over the power crisis in Karachi and labelled it criminal negligence.
K-Electric Chief Executive Tayyab Tareen was summoned by Nisar while hearing a petition about the power crisis in Karachi.
“I have heard you are not supplying electricity to the people of Karachi. Should we leave the people at your mercy?” he said in reference to Tareen.
“What will the people do in Ramzan?” he asked.
The CJP inquired about the power cuts. “How long does the load-shedding lasts? Why shouldn’t we start an investigation against you,” he asked.
“We have a load-shedding schedule in some areas,” responded Tareen.
“From which authority do you take permission for load-shedding?” the top judge then inquired.
CJP Nisar ordered power utility authorities to provide information over the issue to the court by May 20 and directed authorities to provide Karachi’s load-shedding schedule.
A technical problem at K-Electric’s Bin Qasim power plant is reported to be the reason behind over 14 hours of load-shedding in some areas of the city. The fault has plagued the power plant for the past eight days, leading to 600MW-700MW of shortfall in the city.
Residents in the city have expressed outrage at the load shedding, complaining that temperatures are rising and the Holy month of Ramzan is about to start.
Hyderabad Load- shedding:
Meanwhile, while hearing a case over load-shedding in Hyderabad, the CJP summoned Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) chief.
“If load-shedding isn’t eliminated then the electricity supply to your house will be suspended for 12 hours,” said Nisar in reference to the chief.
“We are investigating electricity theft,” answered Hesco chief in response to a question over the matter.
Hesco was then ordered to formulate a plan to control load shedding in Hyderabad and submit it to the court.
