KARACHI: A meeting convened by the Concerned Citizens' Alliance (CCA) deplored the prevailing high tariff of electricity and rising inflation in the country, and demanded immediate withdrawal of all unjust taxes and surcharges in the bills to provide relief to the masses.
The CCA meeting held at PMA House, Karachi, was attended by Dr Mirza Ali Azhar, Dr Tipu Sultan, Azhar Jamil, Dr Samina Khalil, Wali Noshad, Zahid Farooq, Iqbal Qasmi, Shahid Ali, Ms Tehseen Fatima, Ajmal Malik, Abid Ali, Faizan Ahmed, Hasan Athar, Ms Farhat Perveen, Ms Shamim Ali and others.
The participants passed a resolution which strongly denounces the recent surge in prices, especially in electricity charges, saying the CCA stands in solidarity with the populace in their demand for relief from the excessive taxes and additional charges imposed on electricity bills. This fiscal burden has rendered the common citizens' lives exceedingly difficult, jeopardising their food security.
Furthermore, the CCA places responsibility on successive governments spanning the past three decades for providing "capacity payments" to Independent Power Producers (IPPs) irrespective of actual electricity consumption, leading to a situation where losses are socialised, and profits are privatised.
The resolution also seeks an end to monopolistic control held by power Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and encourages the promotion of fair competition within the power distribution sector.
To address the ongoing crisis, the CCA recommends the government formulate a policy emphasising cost-effective alternative energy sources. It also underscores the responsibility of DISCOs in combating electricity theft and ensuring timely bill collection from defaulting consumers.
It questioned substantial state subsidies, amounting to 17.4 billion dollars being given to certain sectors, including those directed towards IPPs, demanding their abolition in favour of impoverished communities.
While acknowledging the state's constitutional and legal obligation to provide essential services, including electricity, to all its citizens, the resolution expresses solidarity with protesters opposing high power prices. It calls for a re-evaluation and reduction in electricity pricing before consumers face further hardships.