Bread or bill – millions battle the hard choice
Pakistan
The latest power bill proves nothing short of a ‘shock’ for consumers
LAHORE (Saleem Mubarak) - Nisar Ali, a private security guard, is grappling with the challenge of paying his electricity bill as his monthly salary is a meagre Rs28,000 and he has to pay Rs35,000 bill for July.
The latest power bill proves nothing short of a ‘shock’ for him and countless other people with limited financial resources. How can a person battling wanton inflation pay a bill which is more than his total earning, is a question being asked in every nook and cranny of the country these days.
Complaints of inflated bills after the recent increase in power tariff “on the dictates of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)” are rife.
“We would be afraid of lightning or elemental fury (meaning any unforeseen happening) but now everyone seems scared of electricity shock,” Ali sarcastically vents out his frustration.
He can’t recall the units his household consumed in the month but he is worried about the amount of bill he has to pay.
"I have no option but to borrow money to clear my utility bill and avoid disconnection. But then how will I feed my family this month after paying such an excessive amount of power bill?" he questions.
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Dunya News spoke to several people about this month’s utility bills, especially electricity one, and most of them have the common response: “Any complaint or catharsis is meaningless as they will neither stir the rulers nor bring any sort of relief for them.”
Kubra Bibi, a housewife, says instead of controlling the expenses of state-run institutions, the government passes the entire financial burden on the masses. “This is sheer injustice”.
“My children are not going to attend tuition classes due to financial constraints… now the electricity bill has added fuel to the fire,” she says, her words echoing the sentiments of many.
As for the amount of bill she is supposed to pay, all she wants to tell is: “I have to pay beyond my capacity.”
Also Read: PDM govt increased power tariff up to Rs18.39 per unit
Akram Ali, a resident of Hanjarwal, says: "Gone are the days when people would stir the conscience of the powers that be by staging protest demonstrations. Now all energies are channelised to eke out a living and no one affords taking to the street to highlight any issue," says Ali.
He says the rulers come into power with a promise to improve the economy and living standards of the public but to no avail.
Dera Gujjran’s Baba Miraj also deplores apathy of leaders and demands that the government must abolish all cruel taxes in electricity bills to provide relief to the masses.
Naila Bibi told Dunya News that being a domestic worker she could hardly earn Rs15,000 a month – an amount insufficient to even feed four children, aged three to 12 years. An inflated power bill, she said, was a bolt from the blue for her.
