Karachi, In a prestigious ceremony held at the Haseena Moin Hall, the Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi awarded the distinguished “Itraf e Kamal” honor to celebrated television anchor Dr. Farhana Owais. The event, which drew notable personalities including the Provincial Minister of Information, Minority Affairs, Social Protection, and President Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, Muhammad Ahmed Shah, was a testament to Dr. Owais’s significant contributions to the media industry.
According to Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi, the ceremony was graced by the presence of various luminaries and intellectuals who shared their insights and lauded Dr. Owais’s achievements. Among them, Muhammad Ahmed Shah emphasized the council’s familial ethos and acknowledged Dr. Owais’s exemplary role as a woman who has excelled in her professional life while maintaining a balance with her personal responsibilities. He underscored the importance of remembering and honoring those who have been instrumental in the council’s journey since 1954.
The event also featured a presidential address by Professor Ahmed Qadri, who highlighted the intrinsic value of Urdu in fostering connections and reducing animosities. He commended Dr. Owais for her dedication to knowledge and her meritorious accomplishments in the field of communication. Qadri’s address was a reminder of the ethical considerations in the pursuit of knowledge and the significance of sharing it without succumbing to commercial interests.
Speakers at the event, including Rizwan Sadiqi, Iqbal Latif, and Professor Dr. Sajida Parveen, praised Dr. Owais for her multifaceted contributions, ranging from her educational pursuits to her distinctive presence in the media. They noted her role as a voice of wisdom and inspiration, emphasizing her commitment to ethical principles and her ability to excel in a male-dominated society.
Dr. Farhana Owais, expressing her gratitude, reflected on her journey and the divine blessings that have enabled her to serve through her voice and knowledge. She shared her experiences and aspirations, particularly highlighting her focus on hosting religious programs and the unexpected paths that led her to a prominent position in television news.
The “Itraf e Kamal” event not only celebrated Dr. Owais’s accomplishments but also underscored the Arts Council’s dedication to recognizing and commemorating the contributions of individuals who have enriched the cultural and intellectual landscape of Pakistan.
Karachi, The citizens of Karachi are facing significant challenges due to persistent loadshedding and over-billing issues, with no effective system in place for the redressal of complaints, Abdul Hakim Quaid, Vice Chairman of the Pasban Democratic Party (PDP). The situation is exacerbated by allegations of corruption within K Electric’s staff and the exploitation of consumers through what is known as the Kanda system, where electricity theft is facilitated by collusion between some of K Electric’s employees and local individuals.
According to Pasban Democratic Party, the Vice Chairman highlighted the dire circumstances faced by Karachi’s residents, who are not only burdened by the increasing rates of electricity but also by hefty fines imposed on the suspicion of electricity theft. The absence of an accountability system within K Electric for its employees has led to a scenario where power theft is rampant, often with the complicity of the company’s own staff. Moreover, the indulgence shown by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) towards K Electric has reportedly opened avenues for what the PDP describes as unchecked exploitation of consumers.
The statement further criticizes K Electric’s approach to handling allegations of electricity theft or fraud, pointing out that the company conducts unilateral investigations and imposes substantial fines without offering consumers a fair chance to contest these accusations. Quaid calls for a more impartial and transparent process, suggesting that complaints of electricity theft should be investigated by neutral officers to prevent biased outcomes.
To address the injustices of overbilling and the lack of a complaint redressal system, the PDP Vice Chairman urges that consumers, when suspecting wrongful accusations of electricity theft, should present their case to NEPRA or any relevant authority with substantial evidence. He advocates for stringent penalties, including imprisonment for proven cases of electricity theft, while also suggesting the possibility of fines as an alternative to avoid jail time.
This pressing issue highlights the need for a robust and fair mechanism to address consumer complaints and to curb the practices leading to widespread dissatisfaction among Karachi’s electricity consumers. The call for action aims to ensure that the burdens of electricity theft and systemic inefficiencies are not unjustly placed on the shoulders of law-abiding citizens.