The Institution of Electrical & Electronic Engineers Pakistan (IEEEP) has asked National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) to devise regulatory mechanism and performance criteria to check the affairs of Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) after its privatisation.
This demand was made by IEEEP vice chairman, Engr Khalid Pervez at a press briefing here on Wednesday. He said that IEEEP has serious concern over the privatisation of KESC as the government has not yet made public the privatisation documents signed between the federal government and the Saudi Arabian based Al-Jamiah Group.
"The privatisation agreement of KESC has not been made public and therefore no one is aware if the agreement contains any safeguards to ensure that the new management would perform in a manner comparable to any well-established and efficient utility."
He said that the professionals of power sector should know about the privatisation agreement of KESC, due to its strategic importance. It would also help the professional bodies to know the checks and balances of federal government in the affairs of the country's largest power utility, he added.
The IEEEP also urged Nepra to investigate the issues relating to power breakdowns, transmissions and distribution losses, service to consumers and future generation plans of the power utility, he added.
Khalid said the IEEEP is a non-profit professional body devoted to the cause of dissemination of knowledge in the fields of electrical & electronic engineering. It regularly holds seminars and symposia on pertinent technical matters and issues, he added.
He said, IEEEP, Karachi, expresses its deep concern on the situation of electric power in the city and performance of KESC in handling the crisis as well. IEEEP is also very critical of the indifferent attitude of the government with regard to KESC's performance and its future plans to ensure regular availability of electric supply.
IEEEP, Karachi Centre is of the view that colossal investments are required for bridging the demand-supply gap and expansion of transmission & distribution network. The government must devise and implement an effective regulatory mechanism to ensure that KESC makes adequate timely investments, he said. In a recent detailed presentation on KESC organised by the IEEEP Karachi, had shown concern on the state of affairs of corporation. IEEEP, Karachi offered its volunteers services to KESC to overcome the power crises in the metropolis, he added.