SAI sends SoS to Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah

KARACHI: The SITE Association of Industry (SAI) has urged Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah to ensure due payments to K-Electric Limited (KEL) to save industries in Karachi from another power and water crises, a statement said on Friday.

In a letter to the Sindh CM, SITE Association President Suleman Chawla said that Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) and Sindh government owed huge amount to K-Electric against the power bills.

“NEPRA has allowed K-Electric to disconnect power in case of non-payment, but due to the strategic nature of KW&SB, as it is core body to ensure water supply to the city, the KE has not taken any drastic step, but apprising you in writing about the matter and requested you to agree on a payment plan,” the letter noted.

The Sindh government, in response to the civil appeal, had agreed to devise a payment plan for the reconciled amount, which was also made part of the Supreme Court's order. However, with multiple written reminders by KE, the payment plan is still awaited and reconciliation exercise has also stopped.

“Non-payment of these dues impedes KE's cash flow and industries suffer because of KE's reduced capacity due to their constraint to purchase the fuel required to run its power plants.” SITE Association has requested the Sindh CM to intervene and settle this matter with utmost urgency and direct the relevant ministries to make payments of outstanding bills immediately and ensure regular payments of monthly bills.