NEPRA to probe unannounced power loadshedding in Karachi amid public outcry

Investigation committee is scheduled to visit the city from April 11 to 13

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has announced that it will investigate the concerns shown by the residents regarding prolonged electricity loadshedding by K-Electric in Karachi.

Declaring a report of the power supply company as unsatisfactory, the national power watchdog formed on Tuesday an investigation committee to look into the matter, Express News reported.

The committee is scheduled to visit the Sindh capital from April 11 to April 13 and review the public complaints regarding the unannounced power loadshedding.

The loadshedding duration has increased with the rise in temperature, causing severe inconvenience to the masses with both announced and unannounced electricity outages in the city.



Lyari, Saddar, Bizerta Lines, Kala Pul, Malir, Shah Faisal, Landhi, Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Gulshan-e-Iqbal are among other affected areas.

Up to seven hours of announced load-shedding in addition to several hours of unannounced load-shedding is being observed in different parts of the city. Not only are the citizens deprived of water, but those who have to go to offices, schools and colleges in the morning are also badly affected.

Due to prolonged load-shedding, small and medium-sized industries are also being adversely affected.

Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has also written two letters to Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi on the issue, urging him to direct the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) and K-Electric to immediately resolve their differences in the interest of the public and provide immediate relief to the city’s residents and industries by reducing loadshedding.



Shah said that although both companies have shown flexibility for the resolution of their issues, excessive load-shedding still persists and the city has not received any relief so far.

The residents of the metropolis and local industries are still suffering power cuts of over 10 hours a day.

The continuous rise in temperatures has further aggravated the situation, especially when students are appearing in secondary school board examinations. The possibility of a serious law and order situation also cannot be ruled out.