https://www.dawn.com/news/1568781/k...s-cable-operators-protest-kes-high-handedness
Stupid company cut my power all day, then their incompetency causes my internet to go as well!
GIVE KARACHI FEDERAL STATUS AND HANG ALL CORRUPT 'LEADERS'
In this regard KE is in the right as lives matter. Last year during rains we had deaths because of these cable operator and internet provider cables hanging from KE poles. While the electric wiring itself is often proper and now further improved via individual grounding of poles, besides kundas we have loose hanging cable tv wires on poles which cause electrocutions during rain.
Been following this for several years now KE cuts these wires near my office every 3 months and then the broadband operators restore them. KE had a meeting with internet companies earlier this year and were given a deadline of July 2020 to install new shared fiber optic backbone. The companies failed the deadlines and it is monsoon season again.
Regarding loadshedding yes KE is responsible and it is NEPRAs job to regulate them to minimize the loadshedding but the matter is very complicated and primarily there because KE is unable to pay its suppliers due to liquidity issues and system losses.
1. High line losses. Which they transfer to consumers but again billing is flawed and losses are not recovered. Purely KE incompetence.
2. Unpaid receivables including from Sindh Gov.
3. Shady IPP agreements favoring oil based producers because of which they have to prioritize purchase from expensive sources or pay capacity charges even though not getting supply.
As current owners looking to sell KE they are not interested in pumping in investment so only improvement expected if Federal gov steps in or transferred to a new owner like Shanghai Electric which is trying to buy KE.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/59...t-to-expedite-release-of-rs52-29-billion-dues
KE urges Sindh govt to expedite release of Rs52.29 billion dues
KARACHI: K-Electric on Friday reminded the Sindh government of its total outstanding dues of Rs52.29 billion, of which Rs33 billion reconciled amount was still pending a payment plan, as the power utility company faces severe cash flow constraints.
In a letter written to Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah by KE CEO Moonis Alvi, the power utility company urges the CM to “attend the long-standing issue of outstanding dues of owed by various entities and departments within the Sindh government”.
It said that the utility company was facing severe constraints in running its day to day operations and ensuring seamless supply of power to the city.
The letter said that KE receivables from different departments of Sindh government have now increased to Rs19.2 billion, of which Rs4.5 billion have been reconciled. “In addition, Rs33.09 billion is also receivable on account of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, out of which Rs28.5 billion in dues have been fully reconciled.”
In its summary to the Supreme Court of Pakistan, Sindh government agreed to devise a payment plan for the reconciled amount, which was also made part of the Supreme Court’s order. However, the letter said “there have been notable delays in the payment against the mentioned reconciled amount and a payment plan is still awaited”.
The letter also apprised the CM that the KE was facing severe cash flow issues due to the nonpayment of dues by Sindh government. The company was working tirelessly to manage its routine operations and maintenance along with the purchase of power for the smooth functioning of the operations and to supply safe and reliable power to Karachi and its adjoining areas.
However, this has been communicated to your office time and again that with large amounts pending in the form of receivables from Sindh government, KE was facing severe constraints in running its day to day operations and ensuring seamless power supply.
The company CEO also said in his letter that due to the shortage of cash, “KE’s borrowing has increased substantially, and the situation is not sustainable for the company”.
Moreover, the capacity of banks to finance KE has been exhausted, inadvertently effecting KE’s working capital and long-term expansion plan.
“I would also like to add that the KE has not been a defaulter of current payments to any of its fuel suppliers since 2012, despite the cash flow situation. However, to be able to continue to make payments to our suppliers and ensure smooth operations, it is essential that the release of outstanding dues is expedited,” he said.
He requested the CM to meet with a KE team for further details, as the non-payment of these dues would result in a potential crisis for the city and sustainability of KE’s operations.
The KE has also written letters to the Sindh government in the past on April 9, May 13, and October 1 in 2019 on the same issue.
