Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon hinted at taking legal action against power distribution companies on Tuesday, accusing them of subjecting the public to “collective punishment.” Speaking at the Sindh Assembly session, Memon highlighted the severe consequences of non-payment of bills, stating, “If a house does not pay its bills, the electricity of the entire village is cut off.”
In his strong address, Sharjeel Memon criticized Karachi Electric (KE), Sukkur Electric Power Company (Sepco), and Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco), labeling them as the most incompetent institutions in the country. He slammed KE for overbilling, saying, “If a person consumes 20 units of electricity, they are sent a bill for 200 units.” He further added that when consumers approach KE for corrections, they are advised to pay their bills in installments rather than having the readings corrected.
Sharjeel Inam Memon pointed out the extreme measures taken by these companies amid the ongoing heatwave, stating that parts of Sindh are experiencing up to 22-hour load shedding. He asserted that these companies are violating the constitution and urged the federal government to take serious action against them.
Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani echoed Sharjeel Memon’s sentiments, advocating for FIRs to be filed against KE if anyone dies of heatstroke due to unannounced load shedding. Addressing the provincial assembly, Ghani emphasized that the KE does not fall under provincial jurisdiction but urged people to register FIRs against the utility in the event of fatalities caused by power outages. He also incited people to peacefully protest by entering KE offices and turning off their lights during outages, though he cautioned against violence or property damage.
Ghani highlighted that even areas with 100% bill recovery are subjected to prolonged load shedding, accusing KE of administering collective punishment. He questioned why paying customers should suffer due to the non-payment of others and criticized KE for lacking a proper system.
Furthermore, the provincial assembly approved a censure motion against electricity load shedding, targeting KE, Hesco, and Pakistan Electric Power Company (Pepco). This resolution underscores the widespread discontent with power distribution companies’ handling of the situation, as Karachi endures over 12-hour load shedding during an intense heatwave. Chief Meteorologist Sardar Sarfaraz has indicated that the hot weather, with temperatures expected between 36℃ to 38℃, will persist for the next 10 days.
Sharjeel Inam Memon’s remarks reflect growing frustration among Sindh’s residents and officials over the inefficiency and perceived unfair practices of the power distribution companies.
