The Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) has said that the CBA Union's so-called protest and violent disruption and sabotage has no justification and it is in clear violation of the Sindh High Court's order of May 7 which had declared the Union's ongoing protest as illegal and unjustified.
The KESC said that since the morning of May 9, 2011, the KESC's CBA Union office-bearers and activists, with the involvement of their external allies, have illegally blocked the utility's operational activities in various parts of the City. The miscreants have forcefully stopped the on duty staff from work, halted maintenance function and did not allow the on-duty employees from using the office equipment and vehicles at most of the utility's offices bringing the KESC essential operation all across the City to a standstill.
The KESC has sought patience and support and help from its customers in this crucial and emergency situation. The KESC has expressed hope that government and law enforcement agencies would take necessary action against these illegal means used by the Union which are in complete violation of Sind High Court's orders, which had declared CBA Union's ongoing protest as illegal and unjustified and directed the Government and law enforcement agencies to protect KESC's property and people who are still trying to work in the interest of 20 million customers. The illegal activity has been taking place without the management having taken any such step or issuing any such order or directive against any employees which could possibly be exploited by the CBA to come out with such a violent and criminal reaction.
The KESC has asked for immediate Government's action to protect the utility's employees and assets for the sake of the citizens of Karachi. The CBA Union, under the garb of recording its protest against some superficial grievances and artificial demands, has been attempting to block the electricity supply and maintenance network. The CBA has also acquired clandestine collaboration and connivance of certain outside elements in this unholy and criminal act.
They have also been issuing personal life threats to the members of KESC management. These elements have so far blocked functioning of the KESC offices at Abdullah Haroon Road, Elandar Road, Tipu Sultan Road, Gulshan-e-Iqbal and Civic Centre and many other places. They have also stopped the utility's public complaint centre 118 and BOC at Civic Centre from operating for all practical purposes and did not allow the on duty staff from attending to public complaints.
As a result, customers are facing problems in getting their complaints registered. They have sabotaged 10 HT cables feeding around 20,000 houses of PECHS, Garden and adjoining areas. The CBA has deliberately switched off substations and other supply network heading towards blackout.-PR