RAWALPINDI/ KARACHI/SWAT: The Traders’ associations and general public and on Friday initiated large-scale protests against soaring electricity bills and heavy taxes, with major demonstrations being held in Karachi as well as other parts of the country.
The protest in Karachi, which was also supported by Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), demanded a reduction in the ever-increasing electricity prices and additional taxes imposed through power bills.
Speaking on the occasion, trade leaders and representatives of Jamaat-e-Islami expressed their concerns. “We reject the excessive charges being collected by K-Electric in our electricity bills,” stated a trade leader, saying that JI always takes a stand on the problems of the masses.
“We are witnessing a situation where people are forced to starve and struggling to make ends meet while KE is sending electricity bills amounting to thousands and even in lacs,” he added.
Addressing the protesters, JI’s Karachi Amir Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, warned that if the government continues to burden the public, the situation could further deteriorate. “Our struggle is against the white-collar mafia in KE,” he affirmed, underscoring the commitment to represent the people’s interests.
He said that when KE was being privatised, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) and Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid (PML-Q) were in power. “We were told that electricity would become cheap but the opposite happened,” he added.
Naeem said that people would rise and agitation would further rise if the government continued to protect the KE’s injustices.
“If even a single trader is arrested, we will fill the jails. The government should realise that when traders take to the streets, it signifies the onset of an economic crisis,” cautioned Atiq Mir, Chairman of All Karachi Tajir Ittehad.
He said that a movement has started in Karachi, urging everyone to join it. He further said that currently, no other political party was taking a stand with them apart from JI.
In Rawalpindi, a demonstration took place against additional electricity charges, with citizens chanting slogans against Islamabad Electric Supply Company.
Similar protests erupted in Azad Jammu Kashmir, where traders set electricity bills on fire and raised slogans against the government and administration.
Moreover, protests were also staged in Lahore, Attock, Peshawar, Quetta, Taunsa, Hyderabad, Nawabshah, Rahim Yar Khan and Multan against the inflated electricity bills. A large number of people participated in the demonstrations.
Meanwhile, the traders have decided to file a First Information Report (FIR) against CEO of K-Electric, Moonis Alvi. Trader leader Sharjeel Goplani remarked, “The incident that occurred yesterday, its responsibility lies with KE. For a year and a half, we have knocked on every door. Yesterday, a group of 50 KE personnel barged into the market and engaged in misbehaviour. We have always paid our bills on time.”
Goplani highlighted that Timber Market alone generates revenue of $170 million annually and four timber markets are registered with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
“Is KE working for RAW? Threats are being directed towards me. We are going to file an FIR against K-Electric and Moonis Alvi at Napier police station. If the police do not register our FIR, we will file it under section 22-A.”
The escalating situation has also led to concerns over the safety of the employees of power companies who have called for heightened security measures. The authorities have deployed over 500 police personnel to address potential public unrest in Rawalpindi.
In the wake of growing public protests against soaring electricity bills, IESCO authorities have taken steps to secure their offices and installations. The Superintendent Engineer of Rawalpindi sent a communiqué to the Central Police Officer (CPO) Rawalpindi, seeking additional security measures.
It stated that groups of consumers are visiting IESCO offices in an agitated manner. Amidst this scenario, consumers are storming IESCO offices and staging protests against electricity issues, putting the safety of IESCO employees at risk during their duty hours.
Responding to IESCO’s request, Rawalpindi police have deployed over 500 personnel to provide security for electricity offices. A police spokesperson stated that 520 police officers and personnel have been assigned for the security of IESCO and WAPDA employees.
He further said that the authorities are monitoring the law and order situation and police officials have been alerted.
People of Malakand Division take to streets against power bills
Amid the excessive rise in Fuel cost (FCA) on electricity bills, a large number of people took to the streets on Friday, and gathered in front of Swat Press Club in Mingora City, holding banners and placards inscribed with slogans against the unprecedented increase in the rate of electricity.
The protesters included members from civil society, traders, lawyers, politicians and other walks of life marched from various parts of the district and gathered in front of Swat Press Club, where they claimed that their current month bills were heavily laden with FCA and other taxes.
“I have consumed only 200 electricity units and my current bills have reached to Rs25,000,” regretted Muhammad Yaqoob Khan, a local resident, adding that it was beyond his capacity to pay the bills within due time.
Another citizen Muhammad Zubair Khan, from Qamber area of Mingora Swat, said that his monthly salary was Rs25,000 and Peshawar Electricity Supply Company (PESCO) has sent a bill of Rs27,000. He wondered how it was possible to tolerate such huge bills.
Zahid Khan, President All Swat Hotel Association while expressing his anger said that due to heavy bills, the hotel industry has suffered millions of rupees losses. “If the current hike in electricity was not reversed, the hotel owners would have no option but to close this industry”, said Zahid Khan, and added that inflation and heavy bills have multiplied the miseries of the common people.
“Soon we will start agitation in the entire province. The rulers should not put more burden on the shoulders of the poor people, rather they should decrease their incentives and facilities”, said Abdul Rahim, President All Malakand Traders Federation. He claimed that for the first time in the history of the state , common people were unable to earn bread and butter for two times of the day.
The protest rally was also addressed by Dr Khalid Mahmood, Iqbal Hussain Bali, Irfan Chattan and other notables of the area.
