In Karachi, the economic center of Pakistan electricity Declared and unannounced Load shedding The problem is not new, it is becoming serious now. Electricity is cut off for 12 or 18 hours in some places and protests against this issue continue from the provincial assembly to the streets.
Against undeclared loadshedding, citizens came out on the streets, protested, staged a sit-in, protested, held a sit-in, protested in Liaquatabad, Shafiq Mor, Nishtra Road, Ramswamy, Allahwala Town, Korangi, Jahangir Road, Malir, Orangi Town, Sarjani Town and other areas. They closed them, burnt tires and raised anti-government slogans.
The people were suffering from power outage day and night. However, the police fired tear gas shells at the protesters and fired in the air. Several protesters were also arrested.
The political parties representing the people are raising their voices on the streets and up to the Provincial House against the power outage.
We are a voice against MQM Pakistan, Jamaat-e-Islami and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf Electric.
Jamaat-e-Islami organized protests against K-Electric management on various highways of the city.
On June 27, Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Amir Munam Khan Zafar filed a petition in the Sindh High Court against load-shedding in the City of Lights, challenging K-Electric’s declaration of 71 percent feeders as load-shedding-free. Is.
According to the petitioner, there is an average daily load shedding of 16 hours in Karachi, while now two to four hours of load shedding has been started at night as well.
On the other hand, on June 27, the opposition leader of MQM Pakistan in the Sindh Assembly, Ali Sohri, being the voice of the people, mentioned the deaths in Karachi due to extreme heat in the provincial assembly, and blamed the electric administration. He also demanded that the FIR be quashed against the Chief Executive Officer of K Electric.
Azam Khan, a consumer of Orangi Town, told Independent Urdu that ‘Each month the electricity bill is Rs. It is closed in evening hours as per instructions.
He said: ‘Despite using electricity with such care, they are under the influence of excessive bills and announced and unannounced load shedding.’
Position of K Electric
Speaking to Independent Urdu, a K Electric spokesperson claimed that 70 percent of K Electric’s coverage area is still exempt from load shedding.
“We keep a close eye on our network through smart meters installed at PMTs, which keep us aware of the electricity theft and bill collection situation in any given area. Maximum duration of load shedding is 10 hours only in high loss areas.
“However, announcements are made due to load shedding, power theft and non-payment of bills and the duration of electricity is fixed at the rate of payment.”
Economist and energy expert Khuram Shehzad told Independent Urdu that ‘The production of electricity is good, but the problem is the ability to deliver electricity, which is not good. The delivery and distribution system is rotten. All the governments that have come so far have not paid any attention to preventing the increase in bills.
Lack of water
Karachi is the most densely populated city of Pakistan Water is suffering from severe shortage and this problem is increasing day by day.
Citizens use water obtained by buying or boring.
Journalist Munis Ahmed, who reports on water-related issues, told Independent Urdu that ‘There is a demand of 1200 million gallons of water in Karachi and the availability is half that is 600 million gallons.
Residents fill jerry cans with drinking water from a hand pump in Karachi on June 7, 2024. (Asif Hasan/AFP)
Karachi receives water from two sources namely Kenjhar Lake Dhabiji which is the major source and Hub Dam. Projects to meet the 600 million gallon water shortfall are controversial and have little chance of completion.
The Sindh government has also announced that the Hub Canal is in a state of disrepair and a canal will be built along with it from where Karachi can get water.
Lyari, Orangi Town, Shah Faisal Colony, even in posh areas, water supply could not be ensured.
Deputy Mayor Karachi Salman Murad told Independent Urdu that the provincial government is starting a project to provide 100 mgd of water, which will cost 12.73 billion rupees and this project will provide water to Central District and Kemari. , while the canal project which will be completed in one year.
Salman Murad said that the problem of non-supply of water to Karachi also arises due to unannounced load shedding.
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Gas load shedding
Gas load-shedding was normal in the city of Quaid during the winter, but this year, the non-availability of gas has become a headache for the people even in the summer, while in some areas there is no gas at all for the last two months and citizens have to use cylinders. are forced to
Faseeh Ahmed, a citizen of Karachi, told Independent Urdu that ‘Gas shutdown was not there before, but it started with load shedding, now there is no gas line in some parts of his area. All the work is being done on the cylinder itself while the bill is coming as usual which is surprising.’
In this regard, energy expert Abu Bakr while talking to Independent Urdu said that ‘natural gas reserves are decreasing, while domestic consumers in Pakistan are being given very cheap gas.
“There is a shortage of about 50 to 60 MMcf of gas across the country, which is closed at night to make up a little balance. Now LPG is being used in homes, which is four to five times more expensive than gas. .
He said that the best way to do this is to reduce gas prices.
![AFP__20240523__34TM9KB__v2__HighRes__PakistanWeatherHeat.jpg AFP__20240523__34TM9KB__v2__HighRes__PakistanWeatherHeat.jpg](https://i0.wp.com/www.independenturdu.com/sites/default/files/thumbnails/image/AFP__20240523__34TM9KB__v2__HighRes__PakistanWeatherHeat.jpg?resize=800%2C1200&ssl=1)
A woman carries her child under an umbrella as she crosses the road on a hot summer day in Karachi on May 23, 2024 (Asif Hassan/AFP)
Sui Southern Company spokesperson Salman Siddiqui told Independent Urdu that ‘load shedding becomes inevitable due to high gas demand in winter. Natural gas reserves from underground wells are depleting by 10% annually, while demand is steadily increasing each year.
According to Salman Siddiqui: ‘Due to this significant reduction in gas supply, Sui Southern’s underground distribution system is under severe pressure and load shedding has to be done at night to maintain gas pressure.’
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2024-07-23 15:43:40