Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) sent crore of rupees under the head of bills to Labour Square and cut off electricity of the area due to non-payment of bills.
KESC officials on Monday evening at 5 PM cut off electricity of Labour Square due to which there had been dire shortage of water in the locality. “Since Labour Square has been established, no meter is installed to check meter reading in the area,” told residents of the locality, adding that they had been residing in the area since its establishment and they had received neither electricity nor water connection bills yet.
The residents claimed that KESC started to send electricity bills six to seven months ago, adding that there were various amounts of bills from 10 thousands to 70 thousands per house. They further said that people of Labour Square were not rich and could not pay a huge amount of bills, adding that they requested KESC officials to receive one or two thousands monthly per house and the officials agreed. Despite their agreement, KESC did not restore electricity of the area and people suffered a lot as water shortage worsened due to unavailability of electricity.
The residents on Wednesday evening staged protest, torching tyres and demanded immediate restoration of electricity whereas administrative persons of the area from MQM and PPP unanimously negotiated with KESC officials and ensured them that people of the area were committed to pay one or two thousands per house monthly and hence, electricity be restored. The officials ensured to restore electricity of the area till 12 AM at night but still no electricity.
“We reside in flats and it is difficult to approach water whereas unavailability of electricity has deprived them of their basic need of water,” told the residents. It is noticeable that the area previously was affected by Karachi Water & Sewerage Board when they cut off water connections, claiming that the residents did not pay their water connection bills.