Electricity Price Hike: Jamaat-e-Islami Demands NEPRA Chairman’s Resignation

Islamabad: During a hearing on the request to increase electricity prices for Karachi, Jamaat-e-Islami representatives demanded the resignation of NEPRA’s Chairman.
Shahid Alim, representing Jamaat-e-Islami, expressed concern over the soaring electricity rates, accusing KElectric and NEPRA of negligence. He urged the NEPRA Chairman to step down amidst allegations that the electricity regulatory body has become complacent in its duties. Alim criticized recent tariff hikes in May and June, asserting that both KElectric and NEPRA are contributing to exorbitant electricity costs, surpassing even the rates set by IPPs.
Jamaat-e-Islami emphasized NEPRA’s responsibility to safeguard consumers’ interests, cautioning against burdening the public with excessive costs. Alim suggested revoking KElectric’s generation license and ensuring Karachi consumers receive electricity from the national grid to alleviate financial strain.
The party also criticized NEPRA’s failure to act against illegal PMTs in Karachi’s Surjani Town, highlighting a lack of responsiveness despite prior knowledge. They accused KElectric of colluding with regulatory authorities to the detriment of over 5.4 million consumers.
Jamaat-e-Islami concluded by condemning KElectric for producing the most expensive electricity in the world and advocated for the cancellation of its generation license, proposing the provision of electricity through the National Grid as a viable alternative.