KARACHI: Dr. Farooq Sattar, a senior leader of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), urged the Sindh government to follow Punjab’s example by providing relief on electricity bills for the province’s consumers.
Speaking at a press conference at MQM-Pakistan House in Karachi, Dr. Sattar addressed the frustrations of Karachi’s residents concerning escalating electricity costs and frequent load shedding.
He noted that while the Punjab government, led by Maryam Nawaz, has reduced electricity charges by Rs14 per unit, the Sindh government has not implemented similar measures. Dr. Sattar highlighted the growing burden on Karachiites, pointing out the recent spike in electricity rates, with some industries now facing charges between Rs50 and Rs55 per unit.
The MQM-P leader warned that these hikes could trigger further inflation, adding to the economic strain on Karachi, a city that contributes over Rs4000 billion to the national economy annually. He criticized the apparent disparity in how Karachi is treated compared to other regions, posing the rhetorical question, “Is Karachi not part of Pakistan?”
Dr. Sattar called on the government to rectify the unequal treatment of Karachi in terms of electricity distribution and pricing, emphasizing the need for immediate policy changes to alleviate the financial pressures on the city’s residents and industries.
The press conference highlighted the escalating dissatisfaction among Karachi’s populace and underscored the urgent need for governmental intervention to address the rising utility costs.
