Staff Reporter
Islamabad
National Accountability Bureau Chairman Javed Iqbal on Thursday ordered an inquiry against the K-Electric over complaints of frequent unannounced electricity load-shedding in Karachi, over-billing and violations of an agreement with the federal government for developing the power utility’s infrastructure.
Iqbal ordered NAB Karachi to initiate the inquiry while taking notice of public complaints and media reports about prolonged power outages and over-billing worth “billions of rupees” on part of the KE, according to a spokesperson for the accountability watchdog.
The company is also accused of “allegedly not complying fully” with an agreement it had reached with the government under which it was required to carry out necessary investment for developing the electricity supply system on modern lines, the spokesman said in a statement.
The bureau’s chairman has directed NAB Karachi to obtain a copy of the agreement entered into by KE, details of the investment done by it and other relevant documents.
The press release quoted Iqbal as saying that NAB being a “national institution” believes in performing its duty as per the law and it will “not allow” the KE to seize billions from the citizens in alleged over-billing and violate the agreement.
“The NAB chairman directed NAB Karachi to complete the inquiry against the K-Electric within three months so that the ones looting the public can be brought to book,” it said, adding that the bureau believes in accountability without any discrimination. Residents of Karachi have in recent weeks complained about frequent unannounced power outages that have added to the misery of soaring temperatures and the coronavirus outbreak.
Last Friday, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority had formed a committee to visit Karachi and probe complaints of “excessive” load-shedding by KE.
