The Sindh High Court has directed the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to conduct a technical survey of K-Electric infrastructure to verify the power utility’s claims of improvements. The order follows a petition filed by nine town municipal corporation chairmen and a Jamaat-e-Islami city council member addressing prolonged loadshedding in Karachi. The court, led by Justices Muhammad Faisal Kamal Alam and Muhammad Hasan Akber, expressed concern over persistent power outages, particularly during summer, which have worsened conditions for residents.
Details of K-Electric Infrastructure Report
During the hearing, K-Electric submitted documents asserting that 70% of its network is now free from loadshedding, citing over $4 billion in investments since privatization. The utility attributed outages in certain areas to high electricity theft and technical losses. However, the court questioned the effectiveness of NEPRA’s oversight, noting that a recent Rs20 million fine imposed on K-Electric had little impact on resolving the city’s power issues. Justice Alam highlighted frequent disruptions even after minor rainfall, raising doubts about the utility’s infrastructure upgrades.
NEPRA was instructed to submit a detailed report by August 12, 2025, assessing whether K-Electric’s investments have enhanced electricity distribution in Karachi and surrounding areas. The court also urged the appellate tribunal to resolve related appeals within four weeks. K-Electric stated its willingness to cooperate with the survey, emphasizing efforts to reduce distribution losses by half and double its customer base since privatization.
Public frustration with power outages, especially amid heatwaves, has been widely expressed on social media platforms like X, where residents demand accountability and reliable electricity. The survey’s findings could shape future regulatory actions and infrastructure reforms to address Karachi’s ongoing electricity challenges.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, July 26th, 2025
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