As a part of its daily anti-theft drives in different areas of the metropolis, K-Electric (KE) recently raided parts of Gulistan-e-Johar and confiscated illegal kunda networks weighing over hundreds of kilograms (kgs). During this drive illegal connections were removed from a wedding lawn in Gulistan-e-Johar as well as two residential connections that were stealing electricity with the help of a local kunda mafia. According to details, a wedding lawn located in Block 16 of Gulistan-e-Johar was raided and a consumer was caught using the 3-phase supply directly. Despite resistance by the consumer and the management of the wedding lawn, the KE team issued them a notice and disconnected their electricity supply. During another raid conducted by the KE teams in Rashidi Goth, the teams were met with resistance from a local kunda mafia. The KE team proceeded to disconnect the illegal connection and issued a notice to a consumer who had previously failed to pay his bills and was instead paying the local kunda mafia. KE teams also confiscated more than 1,200 kgs of kunda connections from Gadap in the previous month. In a series of raids, KE teams discovered that two factories and a baking unit were also involved in the usage of illegal hook connections. Reportedly, KE teams disconnected their electricity supply and removed the illegal connections. Furthermore, one of the factory units operating in Gadap had an outstanding bill of more than Rs1.1 million (m) and instead of paying its overdue bills, the factory had resorted to power theft. According to KE spokesperson, the entity had repeatedly raised its voice against the operations of illegal kunda mafias which were active in different areas of the metropolis. “We request cooperation from all citizens and authorities to join the power utility in this cause as illegal connections are a major safety hazard. K-Electric through constant upgradation, investments as well as rigorous anti-power theft operations has made 70 percent of Karachi exempt from load shedding which shows the company’s commitment,” said the KE spokesman. KE spokesperson added, “K-Electric remains committed to provide uninterrupted power supply to all parts of the city. Once again the power utility appeals to its valued customers to help KE overcome the menace of electricity theft and report such miscreants who continuously resort to power theft in their respective areas.” Published in Daily Times, September 16th 2018.