Fleecing the poor

FOR the past many days people all around the country could not help but take to the streets to register their protest against frequent power outages and over billing. The condition that the country already finds itself in could prove to be a recipe for social unrest. It is understandable to see people in anger. Oddly enough, the public is being handed out electricity bills with over a 70 percent increase, while the regular power cuts continue lasting 12 to 15 hours. It is precisely the over billing, that is the main source of resentment forcing people to roll up with crowds attacking WAPDA offices across the country. This is indeed unfortunate and reflects poorly on the government's commitment to deliver. It bears repeating that while the power crisis has badly hit the industrial sector and economy in general, it is the common man whose budget has nearly been destroyed by excessive billing.