Sindh mulls launching ‘People’s Electricity Company' as KE's competitor

Years-long power crisis in Sindh triggered the provincial government to bring in a competitor of the only manufacturer of electricity in Karachi.

Chairman Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari said that he advised the provincial government to eliminate the monopoly of the KE by introducing the Sindh People’s Electricity Company. 

Addressing the Sindh High Court Bar Association, the former foreign minister expressed the need for the power company's rival to establish a free market to turn out the economic hub of the energy crisis.

“We live in the city and face issues, do establish the Sindh People’s Electricity Company under the public-private partnership to provide steady power supply to the public,” he said.

Bilawal’s statement came after the clash between the Sindh government and KE, triggered by Sindh’s demand from the company to pay the duty on electricity.

Subsequently, the electric producer asked the province to clear the dues of the water board and refused to pay Rs3 billion in an account of municipal tax.

However, the severe energy crisis has caused a decline in business in Sindh, especially in the commercial hub, Karachi where around 81 industries were shut down over five years due to the shortage of electricity in the province.