Another harsh summer awaits Karachi as KESC goes on with Power Cuts
It is April and summer of 2009 is just around the corner. Karachities are getting ready for the summer by buying fans, air conditioners and fridges, and worrying whether they may be able to use these ‘luxuries’ during the summer or not. In fact, UPS devices and generators are more in demand than the ‘cool’ products.
While this may leads to an interesting needs vs wants marketing study, the impact of unscheduled power cuts is catastrophic on the economy and people of Karachi. The ‘load shedding’ has virtually destroyed business and trade in the cosmopolitan. Manufacturers, producers, service providers, even shop keepers are unable to operate efficiently due to power cuts as long as 6-8 hours a day. Load shedding gave people another reason to fall back on deadlines, quoting ‘light nahi thi, kya karain‘ (what we can do, as there was no power).
The less privileged, who can not afford UPS or generators, spend nights without electricity and ultimately their frustration and despair led them to riots and violence.
From what I read in newspapers, the government, from CDGK to federal level, have done everything from requesting to threatening KESC but it all fall on deaf ears. KESC apparently considers itself not under jurisdiction of the laws of Pakistan.
I am afraid that if government is unable to enforce its writ on KESC, the protests in this summer will be much harsher and violent than previous years.
Image: PakAlert
Other posts by Kashif Aziz
- Taliban of Punjab Police - March 3rd, 2010
- Chile Earthquake, Hawaii Tsunami and Social Media - February 28th, 2010
- President Zardari apologized for childbirth in rickshaw - February 26th, 2010
- Reason of Traffic Jams in Karachi - February 19th, 2010
- Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, Top Most Taliban Leader Caught in Karachi - February 16th, 2010
- PTCL Launches Largest Data Center of Pakistan - February 15th, 2010
- Reflections On Twin Blasts in Karachi - February 6th, 2010
- Aafia Siddiqui convicted, may be sentenced for 60 years - February 4th, 2010
- Dawn News going down the Drain? - January 30th, 2010
- Has Karachi Gone To Dogs? - January 27th, 2010
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April 16th, 2009 18:20 GMT
KESC is undoubtedly a sad story and an example of one of the worst managed organizations of the country. I just hope the government’s claim for “complete eradication” of load shedding from the country is at least 50% true!
April 21st, 2009 17:39 GMT
every one is commenting and blaming on goverment if goverment is not able then tell the solution of this light problems here
April 21st, 2009 19:37 GMT
@Sajjad: Usually it is the government who is responsible to provide basic utilities to the citizens, whether directly or through third party arrangements. It is not that government of Pakistan has no means to do so. We assume that it has the financial strength and administrative muscle to impose its ‘writ’ anywhere in the country, and if has not, why it takes its share in the form of GSTs and various other taxes from power generation and distribution?
So, if the government is unable to resolve electricity issue then it should stop acting as a ‘protector’ and let the public sector step in. Government should allow and facilitate (by exemptions etc) anybody who wants to setup a power generation plant. This way communities will be able to arrange for their own power using various available resources.