Govt to exercise options of taking control of KESC if power crisis not overcome, NA told

Thursday June 14, 2007 (0745 PST)

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ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Water and Power Liaqat Jatoi Wednesday told the National Assembly that if Karachi Electricity Supply Company fails to control the energy crisis than the government has alternate options to take control of the corporation.

Responding to a call attention notice Liaqat Jatoi told that the power crisis in Karachi is a matter of grave concern and we realize that not only the domestic life is being affected but also the commercial and business activities are being affected.

He said that ever since KESC has been privatized we had offer then two plants but they refused and said they would set up power plants themselves, which they have filed to achieve. He said moreover KESC has been provided with 850 megawatt from 825 megawatt by cutting supply off from other parts of the country while the agreement was for only 500 megawatt and still situation has not improved for the better.

He said we give KESC Rs 1 billion subsidy every month and three of their plants are closed. He said that KESC only faces shortfall of 135 megawatt and if these plants are made operational it would produce 183 megawatt of electricity and we have provided 8 billion for the restoration of the system.

He said that prime minister has summoned a session of the KESC administration on June 19 in which directions would be issued for investment with regards to KESC and if the situation still does not improve than the government would exercise other options. He added that the house should also issue directives to KESC.

Liaqat Jatoi further told that that currently the electricity demand is 15358 mega watt and we are facing a short fall that is unabling us to meet the demand. He said that every year the demand increases by 20 percent.

He said that no electricity bills have been increased in Karachi and no one cooperated with us in public campaign to conserve energy. He said that the shops continue to remain open after 9 and large numbers of ACs are still being operated.

He said that the problem of load shedding is not only in Karachi but other parts of the country as well and more electricity is being produced to overcome the short fall.

The opposition also demanded that the government should retake the control of KESC from the private sector and control power pilferage.