SC directs to register case against K-Electric

KARACHI : The Supreme Court of Pakistan Tuesday directed to register case against K-Electric over deaths in Karachi due to electrocution during Monsoon rain spell. Chief Justice Gulzar Ahmed, who headed a bench hearing cases at the apex court’s Karachi registry, took the power company to task over prolonged load shedding and electrocution deaths. The Chief Justice has also ordered to put name of K-Electric Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Monis Alvi on Exit Control List (ECL) and conduct audit of the company. “From now on, the case of electrocution deaths in the mega-city will be registered against K-Electric officials,” the CJP remarked. “You don’t have right for power cuts in the city,” Justice Aijaz ul Ahsan tells K-Electric CEO and asked to overcome electricity shortage. While expressing anger over prolonged electricity outages in the metropolis, the top judge reprimanded the concerned authorities and remarked that people are severely suffering from this issue. At which, K-Electric CEO told the apex court that they don’t have the right to set up a power plant on their own. K-Electric counsel responded and told that reason behind loadshedding is power theft. The CJP further asked why no action has been taken yet against the culprits to stop power theft. Menawhile, National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) chairman has assured to launched investigation against K-Electric as per court directives over whihc, the CJP has directed him to also conduct audit of his own department. Earlier, the apex top had remarked that eight to ten people are dying every day in Karachi due to electrocution and NEPRA is doing nothing.The hearing was conducted after people living in Karachi are facing immense difficulties due to continuous electricity loadshedding and electrocution-related incidents. Several feeders of K-Electric were tripped following torrential monsoon rains in parts of Karachi. The enraged locals have demanded the local administration to take action to overcome the power outages.