KARACHI: President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, has issued a strong critique against K-Electric (KE) for extensive load-shedding that severely impacts the city. Bilwani has urged the federal government to step in, emphasizing that KE’s actions are undermining efforts to provide relief through the 'Sasti Bijli Sahulat' package aimed at reducing electricity costs.

According to a statement by Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the relief package, designed to lower electricity tariffs amidst increasing living and business expenses, is rendered ineffective in Karachi due to KE's persistent power outages. Bilwani described this as an injustice to both residents and businesses in Karachi, who are unable to benefit from the package because of interrupted power supply, particularly during peak hours.

The Karachi Chamber's recent campaign to collect public feedback on load-shedding has amassed numerous complaints from across the city. Bilwani highlighted that citizens report outages lasting up to 12 hours in some areas, severely disrupting daily life and business operations.

Specific complaints have emerged from areas like the Agro Processing Zone in Gadap, where despite having a dedicated feeder, businesses face significant power cuts. This situation is particularly damaging for export-oriented units handling perishable goods, leading to considerable financial losses.

The feedback reveals widespread dissatisfaction with KE's management, with accusations of prioritizing profit over public interest. Small businesses, a critical part of Karachi's economy, are among the worst affected, as they struggle to cope with increased operational costs without the anticipated relief from the government's package.

Bilwani called on the government to investigate KE's failure to align with national initiatives and to ensure that Karachi benefits from such efforts. He also urged KE to address the public grievances and improve its services, warning of continued pressure from the KCCI if immediate corrective measures are not taken.