Karachi – K-Electric strongly condemns the attack on its staff and police personnel during the kunda (illegal hook connections) removal drive at Shafiq Mor on Thursday.
“Miscreants attacked and pelted stones at our team members during a routine operation at Shafiq-2 industrial feeder,” said the KE spokesperson. “Our teams stood firm and called reinforcements including the area police after which gunshots were also heard. Because of the quick action by law-enforcement, no KE staffer was injured and the kunda removal drive resumed.”
During the drive, KE teams removed 85 kilogrammes of illegal hook connections that are a hazard to public safety, compromise the city’s power infrastructure, and cause losses to the utility.
“K-Electric will not tolerate any attack on its staff by miscreants who wish to continue stealing electricity and endanger the lives of all citizens around them. Pending dues from defaulters in Shafiq Colony have already exceeded PKR1.3 billion, while units lost in the Shafiq-2 industrial feeder alone are around 300,000 units per month, translating to a loss of over PKR12 million.
“KE will pursue strict legal action against these miscreants and appeals to law-enforcement agencies to support the company recover its due share of payments and curb electricity theft from the area. KE reiterates that providing free electricity is not possible and urges residents to pay their electricity dues on time.”
It is pertinent to mention that 70% of KE’s serviced areas are exempt from load-shedding. The remaining 30% of the network faces challenges such as electricity theft and non-payment of bills. In these areas, load-shedding schedules are implemented based on the level of theft and non-payment. The schedule is publicly available on K-Electric’s website.
About K-Electric:
K-Electric (KE) is a public listed company incorporated in Pakistan in 1913 as KESC. Privatized in 2005, KE is the only vertically integrated power utility in Pakistan supplying electricity to Karachi and its adjoining areas. The majority shares (66.4%) of the Company are owned by KES Power, a consortium of investors including Al-Jomaih Power Limited of Saudi Arabia, National Industries Group (Holding) of Kuwait, and KE Holdings (Formerly: Infrastructure and Growth Capital Fund or IGCF). The Government of Pakistan is also a shareholder (24.36%) in the Company while the remaining are listed as free float shares.
www.ke.com.pk