Karachi load-shedding raised in National Assembly, sent to energy committee
MQM-Pakistan's Syed Amin ul Haq submitted a calling attention notice in the National Assembly on load-shedding in Karachi. Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah referred the matter to the Standing Committee on Energy.
- Amin ul Haq raised unannounced load-shedding and unrepaired K-Electric feeder faults in the National Assembly.
- Parliamentary Secretary Amir Talal Khan said load-shedding is done out of compulsion and that industrial feeders face none.
- The Deputy Speaker referred the matter to the Standing Committee on Energy.
Syed Amin ul Haq of MQM-Pakistan submitted a calling attention notice in the National Assembly on Tuesday about heavy load-shedding in Karachi. The session was chaired by Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah.
The notice concerned unannounced power cuts in the city and what it described as K-Electric's failure to fix faults on its feeders. Speaking in the house, Amin ul Haq said K-Electric is among the companies that the public views with hatred, and he said it was working as a mafia.
He also alleged that K-Electric is earning billions of rupees through overbilling. He asked how much the company had spent on generation for Karachi after earning so much, said load-shedding is carried out even at night, and asked what the company is doing for the city.
Replying for the government, Parliamentary Secretary Amir Talal Khan said the load-shedding has to be carried out out of compulsion. He said that at times repair work is under way and that this may lead to an increase in outages.
He added that under NEPRA rules there should be no load-shedding during night hours, and that if it is happening, the government will look into it. He also said there is no load-shedding of any kind on industrial feeders.
After the exchange, the Deputy Speaker sent the matter to the Standing Committee on Energy.
The same sitting also passed a resolution expressing solidarity with the people of Kashmir on October 27, observed as Black Day. It was moved by Federal Minister for Kashmir Affairs Amir Muqam and Kashmir Committee chairman Qasim Noon. The house also took up several amendment bills, passing many and sending some to standing committees, and was adjourned until 11am the next day.
Why it matters
Power cuts in Karachi affect households, businesses and industry across the city, and the energy committee will now examine the complaints raised in the National Assembly.
