The industrial associations have decided not to pay Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) bills and deposit the same as per the due date to respective associations and this would be paid only after immediate withdrawal of load shedding and long-term guarantee of KESC for uninterrupted supply to all industrial areas.
The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) announced this decision of industrial association on Saturday The chamber noted with regret that despite assurances by the government and KESC that there would be no load shedding in industrial areas, eight-hour long load shedding is being carried out and it is not sure when the load shedding will be totally stopped.
The Chamber further noted that in present circumstances it has become impossible for industrialists to carry out production activities and fulfil local and exports commitments It is worth mentioning that emergency general body meeting of the industrial associations held in July this year had authorised their respective executive committees to go ahead and take bold steps to save industries from collapse.
The steps they suggested includes giving strike calls, stop payment of KESC bills, call joint meeting of all the industrial associations of the city and decide joint action, call a press conference, hold meeting with Prime Minister, Governor, Chief Minister and other authorities and sought their assistance to pressurise KESC to announce ending load shedding in industrial areas.
The business community is of the opinion that in present circumstances it has become impossible for industrialists to carry out production activities and fulfil local and exports commitments President KCCI, Mian Abrar Ahmad while commenting on the Press Release by KESC over industrial load shedding strongly reacted that the KESC's press release looks like that utility has taken upon the role of the Government and is trying to dictate the Government and at the same time trying to create breech between industrial consumers and others. KESC is also trying to destroy billions of rupees' investment of the industry in captive power plants.
Here it would be worth mentioning that this huge investment was made by industrialists as KESC was unable to meet the requirements of industry and this investment was made as a last resort to keep the wheels of industry running. President KCCI appealed to President of Pakistan, Prime Minister, Governor Sindh, and Chief Minister Sindh to take notice of unconstitutional steps/statements initiated by KESC. He went a step further to say that KESC is trying to create law-and-order situation and it should be noted in light of PCO. He gave following points for their consideration.
1) Misleading statement with regards to quantum of gas utilised by Captive Power Plants, it is 160MMCFD not 175MMCFD
2) Industry has been closed for 8 hours. Two spells of 4 hours each are unnecessary and in all the past years in case of supply of 160MMCFD, there was zero load shedding. Why then today, Gas supply is 175MMCFD, industry is being shaded for 8 hours.
3) KESC by shedding industry wants to bankrupt the entire industrial sector
4) Blackmailing Government of Pakistan, as and when industry stops functioning, Government is afraid of unemployment ratio going up, and when industry creates hue and cry, new investment also shy away and the Government knowing population growth want it other way round.
5) To take Government of Pakistan under pressure so that they do not pressurise for payment to SSGC and PSO and they are somehow siphoning the fund in the name of expenditure, O&M import at exorbitant rates, etc. Today KESC has to pay more than 50 billion to these utilities.