Sindh CM calls for reduced load-shedding in Karachi's low-income areas

Forms committee to ensure affordable electricity for low-income households, industrial zone

KARACHI:

Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday expressed concern over prolonged power outages in underprivileged areas and urged a solution to reduce load-shedding.

“We want load-shedding to be reduced, especially in low-income areas, and a sustainable solution should be worked out so poor communities are not burdened by long outages,” the chief minister said in a meeting with Chairman K-Electric Shahryar Chishti.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s House, the chief minister stated that the onset of summer had intensified hardships for low-income communities, emphasising that a practical solution must be found to reduce load-shedding, particularly in poorer neighbourhoods.

The statement added that Shah stressed the need to generate cheaper electricity, particularly through the utilisation of Thar Coalfield coal, which could help provide uninterrupted electricity at affordable rates.

Sindh CM ⁦@MuradAliShahPPP⁩ met K-Electric Chairman Shahryar Chishti & directed work on targeted subsidy program for Karachi consumers, affordable electricity for low-income areas & reduced load-shedding during summer. pic.twitter.com/lw8n7EJNnq

— Sindh Chief Minister House (@SindhCMHouse) April 29, 2026

“He also mentioned that the Sindh government was exploring a partnership with K-Electric to develop a plan for supplying competitively priced electricity to industrial areas, supporting productivity and reducing costs,” it said.

During a meeting, Shah directed the energy department to prepare multiple proposals for providing cheaper electricity. He also announced the formation of a committee comprising the Commissioner of Karachi, the Secretary of Energy, and the CEO of K-Electric.

“The committee will present recommendations on supplying affordable electricity to low-income areas and explore viable subsidy and supply mechanisms,” the statement added.

The statement further noted that Shah directed the energy department and K-Electric to jointly undertake a study on a targeted subsidy programme for electricity consumers in Karachi, aimed at providing relief to vulnerable households.

Chairman K-Electric Shahryar Chishti assured the chief minister that K-Electric was ready to cooperate with the Sindh government on measures aimed at consumer relief and improved service delivery.

“The meeting also reviewed broader energy cooperation between the Sindh government and K-Electric, with a focus on affordability, uninterrupted supply, and support for vulnerable consumers,” the statement concluded.

Read: Power cuts bite hard as city swelters

A severe spell of load-shedding has engulfed the city, plunging large parts of Karachi into prolonged darkness amid the sweltering April heat that is typical of the season. As temperatures soar, the power outages have pushed citizens to the edge, testing their patience and leaving them to endure unbearable conditions without relief.

Residents across multiple neighbourhoods report prolonged power outages lasting up to 16 hours or more, while even so-called exempted areas are facing unscheduled shutdowns under the pretext of maintenance work.

According to reports from various localities, the duration of power cuts has increased by an additional four to six hours, further compounding the crisis. In areas officially exempt from load-shedding - such as Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Johar, North Karachi, Shadman Town, and Gulshan-e-Maymar - residents still report two to four hours of outages, often justified as "maintenance shutdowns."

Meanwhile, affected neighbourhoods are facing three to five-hour outages multiple times a day, pushing total blackout periods to alarming levels. In several of these areas, prolonged outages of 15 to 20 hours have been reported, forcing families to endure sleepless nights in extreme heat.