KARACHI - Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) has increased tariff rates by 53 paisas amid unannounced loadshedding, protests and worst law and order situation, surged by highly charged people who deprived from the inefficiency of power utility. As per detail, Nepra has approved a 53 paisa per unit increase in KESC tariff, which will take effect next month as during the presentation, the utility officials told the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority that the price of furnace oil had been increased by Rs 4,873 per tonne therefore the electricity tariff should also be increased. At the moment, hour-long power outages continue in Karachi on the pretext of production shortage and repair of power plants. The highly charged people who deprived of electricity for long hours, decrying against the working ability of the utility and created law and situation in different areas of the metropolis. The first incident occurred at Karachi elites area at Clifton , Teen Talwar Chowk, where thousands of shopkeepers of the Kehkashan Market reached the street and staged sit-in protest which resulting massive traffic jam for several hours. The protesters also lit the tyres and pelted stones through the passing vehicles while shouting against KESC administration, Government of Sindh and other stakeholders of the city. A shopkeeper Atif Saddique informed that markets have been deprived of power since morning while the government have permitted the utility to loot the people by increasing tariff. Following the incident, the large number of law enforcers reached the spot and tried to disperse people by offering negotiations. However, the protestors refused and resultantly law enforcers started baton charge and tear gas to them. Another protest against utility was witnessed near Liaqatabad No 6 where residents came out. They set on fire the old stuff and shouted against utility. They informed the hot weather was just start and KESC started unannounced loadshedding which has ruined their lives as well as commercial activities. It is pertinent to mention here that Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) on Saturday requested the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to raise power tariff by 53 paisa per unit for domestic consumers which was approved by the NEPRA and would take effect next month. On the other hand, the Sindh government and the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry have opposed the proposed increase. The Sindh government stated that the KESC was being supplied furnace oil at a subsidised rate which was why the increase in tariff could not be justified.