KARACHI: Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) president Agha Shahab Ahmed Khan, while expressing deep concerns over the worst performance of K-Electric that lead to massive power outages in every nook and corner of Karachi including all seven industrial zones, urged the utility service provider to immediately stop the ongoing load-shedding spell and focus on improving the infrastructure, particularly power generation capacity and distribution network which is in a terrible state.
Agha Shahab pointed out that due to K-Electric's poor performance, almost all the localities of Karachi and also the seven industrial zones have to suffer unannounced outages and power failures every day for many hours that results in substantial losses. "The industries have suffered badly due to the outbreak of coronavirus and the subsequent lockdown for more than two months and now, K-Electric has also resorted to massive power outages, which poses threat to the already staked survival of industries", he said and asked "What is the motive behind carrying out immense load shedding in an extraordinary situation?"
"The unannounced and prolonged load-shedding by K-Electric would prove to be the last nail in the coffin of industries and the economy", he opined and added that people from different walks of life, who have been inhabiting in various localities, sought KCCI's assistance to exert pressure on K-Electric's management so that uninterrupted power supply in every area could be ensured.
He stressed that K-Electric must adopt measures on war footing to minimize the hardships being suffered by the citizens and the business community of the largest city of Pakistan which contributes a lion's share of more than 70 percent revenue to the national exchequer. Karachiites are already under tremendous mental pressure due to coronavirus pandemic and their sufferings multiply further when they have to go through prolonged load shedding every day and night.
KCCI chief said K-Electric has been earning huge profits of billions of rupees every year but unfortunately, it has not been adequately investing on improving the dilapidated distribution network which was in a very bad shape as every year whenever the electricity demand shoots up in the city during summer season, K-Electric fails to deal with the situation and the public pays the price for this failure in shape of load shedding.
Agha Shahab further advised that as the monsoon season is just ahead and heavy rainfalls have been forecast by the Metrological Department, K-Electric must act sensibly and responsibly, avoid repeating mistakes and adopt stringent measures to ensure uninterrupted and safe power supply during the rainy season.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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