The Old City Traders Alliance Karachi has warned that if the government did not cancel the privatisation of Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) the traders would seize the head office of KESC.
This was decided in a hurriedly called meeting of OCTA on Sunday in chair of Jameel Ahmed Paracha, chairman OCTA. Ayub Nizami, Muhammad Hussain, Hanif Katiyal, Shaikh Muhammad Bilal, Naeem Aziz and other office-bearers participated in the meeting.
They also announced that the traders of more than 60 markets of old city area of Karachi had decided to launch a protest campaign against the KESC and in this regard a protest rally and sit-in would be held at KESC head office soon. They said they were waiting for a joint protest announcement by Traders Alliance of Market Association Karachi, and Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).
They said that if the KESC administration tried to disturb commercial and domestic life through increase in power tariff, traders would assume control of the KESC administration, adding increase in power tariff is conspiracy to harm the national economy.
They also welcomed the statement of Sindh minister for commerce and industry opposing the notification of increase in power tariff by 25 to 75, adding the trades community would never forget the political parties favouring traders in this difficult time.
They vowed that they would continue their protest campaign till the withdrawal of the notification, adding traders would start collecting electric bills at the Alliance of Market Association office to burn them. They warned of the notification of increase in power tariff were not withdrawn they would start Kunda connections from November 1, 2008. Traders also appealed to the citizens to support and participate in the traders' protest campaign in the greater interest of the city.