Massive Protests In Pakistan Over High Electricity Bills
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Protests have ignited in multiple Pakistani cities against a significant surge in electricity prices, compounding hardships for those grappling with inflation.
The call for these protests came from the Jamat-e-Islami, leading to demonstrations in cities like Karachi, Rawalpindi, Attock, and Gujranwala. The protestors are urging the government to reverse added taxes on electricity rates and the recent tariff hike.
Read more : Rising Petrol and Electricity Prices Lead to Increased Food Costs
In Karachi, traders also joined in, some even setting their electricity bills ablaze in protest.
راولپنڈی میں مہنگے بلوں کیخلاف احتجاج۔۔۔!!! pic.twitter.com/PQBAC9ILN1
— Mughees Ali (@mugheesali81) August 25, 2023
During a protest rally, Hafiz Naeemur Rehman, JI Karachi’s leader, cautioned that the situation might escalate if the government continues burdening the public. He vowed resistance against any attempt to disconnect electricity and urged the government to tax landlords instead of the poor.
اٹک کے شہریوں کا بھاری بھرکم بجلی کے بلوں کے خلاف احتجاج،قیمتی سامان بیچ کر بجلی کے بل جمع کرا رہے ہیں، مظاہرین۔۔۔!!! pic.twitter.com/eqCTtN3UXK
— Mughees Ali (@mugheesali81) August 25, 2023
The Chairman of All Karachi Trader Union, Attique Mir, declared that a “jail bharo” (fill the jails) movement would be launched if any traders were arrested. He noted that the traders’ protest underscored the deepening economic crisis and announced that the protests would persist until the government meets their demands.
Similar fervor was evident in Rawalpindi, where people rallied against the Islamabad Electric Power Supply Company. Protests in other cities saw residents burning their electricity bills in defiance.
Amid these demonstrations, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) approved a tariff increase of Rs5.40 per unit due to quarterly fuel adjustment.
Amid these protests, a resident of Karachi was stunned to receive a Rs3,747 bill for consuming only two units, resulting in a charge of Rs1,873 per unit. Despite seeking correction from Karachi Electric, he was left unsatisfied.
Reports indicate that earlier this week, residents of Gujar Khan and Kotli districts also protested against rising power tariffs and inflation by burning utility bills worth millions.
