K-Electric under fire from Nepra over prolong loadshedding

ISLAMABAD: The power regulator on Thursday voiced its disappointment over the prolonged power outages in Karachi, rejecting K-Electric’s (KE) justification as “immature” and labelling it “out of touch” with the worsening situation on the ground, The News reported. 

The remarks came during a public hearing on the utility’s request for a fuel charges adjustment for March.

Amid rising summer temperatures, residents and representatives from the business community 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 energy crisis was severely disrupting daily life and commercial activity. “We request Nepra to find a solution,” he said.

Nepra member Rafiq Sheikh rebuked K-Electric’s top management for failing to present a serious plan to tackle prolonged outages and distribution losses. “Your response is extremely immature. It’s completely disconnected from the suffering on the ground,” he said. “If we remain silent, people will think we’re complicit.”

K-Electric CEO Moonis Alvi defended the utility, citing violent resistance in some areas. “Our teams are attacked. Sometimes I’m saving my people at 2am,” he said, requesting Nepra’s help in urging the public to avoid illegal connections and pay their bills.

However, Nepra dismissed the CEO’s explanation, expressing dissatisfaction with the utility’s performance. The hearing concluded with no immediate decision on K-Electric’s request for a fuel adjustment, but 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), citing lower fuel costs due to global price shifts and changes in power generation mix.

Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has been holding a sit-in protest outside the KE's Malir office, The News reported on Thursday.

Karachi JI Emir Monem Zafar said, addressing the sit-in, that the people of Karachi are done with the KE because of its anti-Karachi policies, corrupt practices, exorbitant tariff and never-ending power cuts in several areas.

He said the prevailing situation showed the power utility’s incompetence. The JI leader said the government and Nepra had been facilitating the KE in all its wrongdoings. All the ruling parties had kept mum over the situation, he added.

The JI leader said the people affected by loadshedding, particularly students, were experiencing agony and depression due to the unlimited greed of the KE. The protesters carried placards and banners, and chanted slogans against the KE.