K-Electric (K-E) terminated power supply to the University of Karachi this Wednesday. The privately-owned power distributor shut down the power to the varsity due to unpaid dues of Rs. 86 million.
The power distributor said that electricity supply to the university’s administration department and staff colony was cut-off.
A spokesperson from K-Electric said:
Despite serving several notices, the dues have not been cleared by the university. We urge the authorities concerned once again to clear the outstanding dues.
The University said that they were trying to pay the outstanding debt as soon as they could, ensuring that Rs. 30 million (35% of the total owed payable) will be paid as soon as the 5th October.
The varsity administration is negotiating with K-E over the issue.
Karachi University Teachers Society’s (KUTS) Reaction
The representative body of the faculty members of the University, KUTS, responded fiercely saying that K-Electric sees the largest public University from a commercial point of view.
KUTS President, Dr. Shakeel Farooqi, said:
[KU] is a premium educational institution, which runs on government grants regardless of profit or loss.
He said that the University paid all of their bills punctually. A few of the bills were ‘delayed’ due to a cut in government funds.
The President appealed to the government, administration and Higher Education Commission for their involvement in this case.
He added:
In this situation, the educational and research process has been badly affected.
Government Funds Not Enough to Meet The Expenses
The KUTS President urged Sindh Governor Muhammad Zubair and Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah to resolve this as soon as possible.
Khawaja Izharul Hasan from MQM made demands to the governor to solve the issue. He also highlighted the financial support from the government saying that running a varsity of more than 20,000 students was inadequate and could not cover all of the expenses that the University faces.
He mentioned that the power termination occurred due to this very reason and it could have been avoided completely if the government hadn’t been so negligent.
Power was restored at 8:30 PM, yesterday, after negotiations between the University’s administration and K-Electric.
“The representative body of the faculty members of the University, KUTS, responded fiercely saying that K-Electric sees the largest public University from a commercial point of view.”
If teachers are this stupid, I wonder what becomes of the students.
Exactly. This is the same view that has destroyed PIA, Steel Mills, Wapda and others. Next thing this teacher will want to stop paying companies that supply paper, furniture and equipment.
Teacher should stick to their teaching – and hopefully he’s not an economics teacher
Sahi Kiya Ghar Walo Koi Free Time Nahi Milta Gari ATI Hai Kat K Jati hai Itna KU Wale Roo Q Rahy hai Kiya Generator Bhi Nahi Hai :
Pay Karo Aur Bijlee Lo