Syed Ali Shah, Manan Mandokhail:
QUETTA: The Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) sent a Rs.6.8 million bill to a private tube well in the Qambrani Road area of the city. “QESCO continues to send outstanding bills of Rs.6.8 million to us”, one of the residents of the area lamented.
Residents of the area complained that scarcity of water has complicated the problems of the people. People are forced to buy water tankers as the Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA) has completely failed to provide water.
“We have repeatedly deposited bills, but it continues to increase”, the black-bearded resident claimed.
Children carrying water cans
Scores of children were also engaged in taking water to their homes. Overbilling has compounded the problems of the masses and they have started burning electricity bills across Pakistan. However, no protest rally has taken place in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan so far.
Despite repeated attempts, the Daily Quetta Voice was not able to speak to the QESCO officials regarding the overbilling in Balochistan.
The Chief Executive Officer of Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO), Abdul Kareem Jamali said that there are over 20000 illegal tube wells operating in Balochistan. “Industrialists, traders, and growers should support us to prevent illegal connections and recover the due bills from the consumers and eliminate losses”, he lamented.
Over 20,000 illegal tube wells operating in Balochistan
At this time, the company owes billions of rupees to growers, provincial and federal departments, and other consumers. “The company will provide 24-hour electricity to the consumers of the feeders whose recovery is 100 percent”, Mr. Jamali told Daily Quetta Voice.
Uninterrupted electricity supply to industrialists in Bostan Special Economic Zone and Industrial Zone is our first priority and we will end the difficulties in this regard. He expressed these views while speaking to the officials and members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Quetta Balochistan on Wednesday.