KARACHI: The Sindh provincial government has directed electricity distribution companies, including K-Electric, to cease load-shedding from 10 pm to 6 am daily amid the current severe heatwave.
Energy Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah and Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani issued the directive during a meeting at the provincial energy department. The meeting, attended by Energy Secretary Musaddiq Ahmed Khan and senior officials from K-Electric, Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco), and Sukkur Electric Power Company (Sepco), addressed the severe impact of frequent power outages on the public during the extreme weather.
The ministers assured that the provincial government would soon clear the outstanding dues to the power distribution companies. They emphasized the need for uninterrupted power supply during nighttime to alleviate the public’s suffering.
The energy minister instructed Sepco and Hesco to install MR meters at public sector institutions for accurate billing reconciliation. Local Government Minister Ghani stressed that K-Electric should not penalize all consumers for power theft, highlighting the critical need for reliable electricity in extreme weather conditions.
The meeting also discussed the impact of load-shedding, which has lasted up to 16 hours in some areas, causing severe hardship.
In response, K-Electric stated that the provincial government owes approximately Rs10.50 billion, affecting their ability to provide uninterrupted power. Despite these challenges, K-Electric reported that 70% of its network was supplying continuous power to the city. The utility company requested the immediate payment of dues to ensure ongoing power supply, noting that free electricity provision was not feasible.
