The Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) has ignited controversy by sending a staggering Rs. 6.8 million bill to a private tube well situated in the Qambrani Road area of the city. This exorbitant billing has left residents of the region irate and distressed.
Amidst water scarcity concerns that have already plagued the area, the situation has taken a turn for the worse as the Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA) has failed to fulfill its obligation to provide adequate water supply. Residents are now resorting to purchasing water tankers to meet their basic needs.
A resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, voiced their frustration: “QESCO continues to send us these outstanding bills of Rs. 6.8 million. We’ve made repeated payments, yet the bills keep escalating.” The local population, grappling with the issue, is witnessing a multitude of children involved in transporting water to their homes.
The problem of overbilling has further exacerbated the difficulties faced by the masses, leading to instances of burning electricity bills across Pakistan. Despite this growing discontent, no significant protest rally has been staged in Quetta or other parts of Balochistan thus far.
Efforts to contact QESCO officials regarding the overbilling in Balochistan have been unsuccessful, as the Daily Quetta Voice was unable to secure an interview with the company representatives.
Abdul Kareem Jamali, Chief Executive Officer of QESCO, shed light on the larger picture of unauthorized tube wells in Balochistan, with over 20,000 such wells operating illegally. Jamali emphasized the importance of cooperation from industrialists, traders, and growers to combat illicit connections and recover pending bills from consumers, ultimately aiming to curtail losses.
The financial burden on QESCO is substantial, with significant outstanding dues owed to various stakeholders including growers, provincial and federal departments, and other consumers. Mr. Jamali conveyed that the company intends to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to consumers from feeders with a 100 percent recovery rate.
In an effort to address pressing concerns, QESCO’s CEO expressed a commitment to providing continuous electricity supply to industrialists in Bostan Special Economic Zone and Industrial Zone. He articulated these intentions during discussions with officials and members of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Quetta Balochistan on Wednesday.
