THE taxpaying and law-abiding people of Karachi generally condemn the continued and unjustifiable actions of K-Electric (KE).

As responsible citizens, they regularly fulfil their civic obligations by paying income tax, general sales tax, Sindh sales tax, withholding tax and utility bills, including those of KE. Despite this, they are repeatedly denied access to basic services that are the state`s responsibility to provide.

In the middle of the summer season, KE is resorting to area-wide shutdowns that often last hours, simply due to nonpayment by a few defaulters. These blanket shutdowns are carried out without any regard for those who pay their dues regularly.

In essence, this practice of penalising entire neighbourhoods for the actions of a few is unethical, if not unlawful. It is in blatant violation of fundamental human rights, the Constitution, and internationally accepted norms of justice and due process.

If KE is pathetic, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) is worse as it remains utterly unresponsive to public grievances, further eroding public trust in regulatory institutions.

The monopoly held by KE has deprived Karachi`s residents of fair and competitive service provision.

Thereis anurgentneed tobreak this KE monopoly, and open the electricity market to fair competition, ensuring better services, reasonable tariffs, and some consumer protection measures.

A.A.Rizvi Karachi