Many Pakistani Mosques and Madressahs Face Shut Off Of Electricity

In Pakistan, the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) notified the Ministry of Religious Affairs earlier this month that over 1,600 mosques and madressahs have not paid their electric bills. They owe the equivalent of $1.49 million (US). According to Pakistan's The News today, KESC will be sending a final one-week notice to delinquent customers and then will be shutting off their power. Numerous notices have previously been sent out, but have been ignored. Most of the religious institutions have their own revenue generating sources, such as shops and markets, that should generate funds to cover the bills. The Ministry of Religious Affairs told KESC that the Ministry is not responsible for the religious institutions.