The power regulator on Thursday voiced its profound disappointment over the prolonged power outages plaguing Karachi, emphatically rejecting K-Electric’s (KE) justification as “immature” and labeling it “out of touch” with the deteriorating situation on the ground, The News reported. These sharp remarks were made during a public hearing concerning the utility’s request for a fuel charges adjustment for March.
Amidst soaring summer temperatures, residents and representatives from the business community passionately voiced their frustration over the intensifying loadshedding. A representative of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industries informed the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) that the escalating energy crisis was severely disrupting daily life and commercial activity. “We request Nepra to find a solution,” he appealed.
Nepra member Rafiq Sheikh sharply rebuked K-Electric’s top management for their failure to present a serious plan to tackle the prolonged outages and mitigate distribution losses. “Your response is extremely immature. It’s completely disconnected from the suffering on the ground,” he stated. “If we remain silent, people will think we’re complicit.”
K-Electric CEO Moonis Alvi attempted to defend the utility, citing violent resistance encountered in some areas. “Our teams are attacked. Sometimes I’m saving my people at 2 am,” he claimed, appealing for Nepra’s assistance in urging the public to avoid illegal connections and fulfill their bill payments.
However, Nepra dismissed the CEO’s explanation, expressing dissatisfaction with the utility’s overall performance. The hearing concluded with no immediate decision on K-Electric’s request for a fuel adjustment, though Nepra officials assured further scrutiny of the matter.
K-Electric had requested Nepra to approve a refund of Rs5.02 per unit under the March 2025 monthly fuel charges adjustment (FCA), attributing lower fuel costs to global price shifts and changes in the power generation mix.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has been staging a sit-in protest outside KE’s Malir office, The News reported on Thursday. Addressing the sit-in, Karachi JI Emir Monem Zafar declared that the people of Karachi are fed up with KE due to its anti-Karachi policies, corrupt practices, exorbitant tariffs, and incessant power cuts in numerous areas.
He asserted that the prevailing situation unequivocally demonstrated the power utility’s incompetence. The JI leader further claimed that the government and Nepra have been facilitating KE in all its wrongdoings, and that all ruling parties have remained silent on the critical situation.
The JI leader highlighted that citizens affected by loadshedding, particularly students, were experiencing agony and depression due to what he termed KE’s unlimited greed. The protesters carried placards and banners, chanting slogans against KE.
