KARACHI: The power crisis in the metropolis has taken a turn for the worse as reports emerge of prolonged load-shedding lasting up to 20 hours in several areas, leaving citizens in a state of extreme distress. Despite the arrival of new management at K-Electric (KE), there has been no respite from unannounced power cuts. Instead, the situation has deteriorated, with the duration of outages increasing by an additional 4 to 6 hours across various neighborhoods.
Crisis Breakdown
Even areas previously exempted from load-shedding are now facing 3 to 5 hours of daily power suspension under the guise of “system maintenance.” Middle-income residential blocks like North Karachi, Shadman, PECHS, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, and Gulshan-e-Maymar are experiencing 2 to 4 hours of outages. Meanwhile, the situation is dire in Orangi Town, Liaquatabad, Mehmoodabad, Malir, Korangi, and New Karachi, where residents claim electricity is unavailable for 15 to 20 hours a day. In outskirts like Taiser Town, Khuda ki Basti, Ahsanabad, Kathore, and Gadap Town, the prolonged outages have completely paralyzed daily life and businesses.
Residents’ Grievances
Local residents from the affected areas have expressed their outrage, stating that in many blocks, power is cut every alternate hour. In a 24-hour cycle, some areas only receive electricity for about 4 hours, while the rest of the time they are left in total darkness. Citizens have raised serious questions regarding the performance and efficiency of the new K-Electric management, demanding immediate intervention from the authorities to ensure an uninterrupted power supply to the city.
