Scene:
Mr. Jameel, a regular, law-abiding citizen, is sitting in his modest home, holding his electricity bill in one hand and Constitution of Pakistan in the other.
Jameel (shaking his head):
Aray bhai, I always believed Article 25 guaranteed equality before law…
Lekin WAPDA ke billing system mein toh clearly Article 25(1) ka load-shedding hua hai!
(Waves the electricity bill in the air):
Last month I consumed 780 units, this month only 270 — still, I’m almost being penalized!
What is this, reverse incentive structure?
Slab billing is like double jeopardy, where you’re punished in the current month for a past consumption that’s already been paid for!
(Reading mockingly from the bill):
“Due to previous high consumption, applicable slab rates are revised…”
Revised? Bhai yeh Electricity Act hai ya koi retrospective legislation?
And the burden? Passed on to consumers like me under the guise of “circular debt recovery,” which is basically a fiscal cover-up for policy negligence.
(Leans forward in a whisper)
But you know what charges my voltage? It’s not the inflated bill…
It’s the call.
Yes… that one phone call — from “Upar Se” —
which magically bypasses all NEPRA regulations, Public Procurement Rules, and even internal technical feasibility reports.
SDO saheb, once a custodian of due process under the Electricity Rules 1937, now acts like a glorified secretary of local electables.
(Mimicking a call):
“Jee SDO saheb, woh meri seat ka halqa hai — ek transformer aur pole bhej dein, no demand note please. Voter hai mera.”
(Shrugs)
And just like that, public resources become constituency favors, not development plans.
It’s ironic, really. While I submit every demand note, pay taxes, and undergo verification…
someone else bypasses the entire codified process through “verbal directives.”
And the chain of command?
It trickles up — because the higher-ups, aiming for contract extensions or political blessings, comply with these ultra vires instructions just to maintain “goodwill.”
A silent doctrine of compelled compliance emerges — neither in law, nor in service rules —
just a simple motto: Obey or vacate.
(Looks at bill again)
So now I’m not just paying for units consumed, but also for
- capacity payments for idle IPPs,
- circular debt fueled by subsidized “sifarishi” supply,
- and administrative inflation caused by resource misallocation.
(Pauses, softly)
WAPDA jee…
you were meant to be an institution, not an extension of political office.
(Smirks)
Aap tou ab “Water & Political Distribution Authority” lagtay ho.
(Sighs, picking up calculator again)
At this rate, mujhe lagta hai next month ka bill aik legal notice ki tarah ayega —
“Due to your patriotism and punctuality, we’re charging you more. Shukriya!”
—-
Note: This satire aims to highlight systemic favoritism, the undermining of administrative autonomy, and the inflationary effect on the common man due to politically-driven decisions in Pakistan’s energy sector. The narrative is intended for constructive discourse, not personal criticism.
What an incredible writting!