On July 25, 2025, the Sindh High Court instructed the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to conduct a technical survey of K-Electric’s infrastructure in response to the ongoing electricity crisis in Karachi.
The court order followed a petition addressing the issue of prolonged and unannounced load-shedding in the city. K-Electric, which is the sole power distributor in Karachi, attributed the outages to issues of theft and technical difficulties.
During the hearing, Justice Faisal Kamal Alam raised concerns about K-Electric’s infrastructure upgrades and the oversight provided by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), particularly in areas where bills are paid on time. The court deemed NEPRA’s fine of Rs20 million on K-Electric to be insufficient. NEPRA is required to present the findings of its survey by the next hearing scheduled for August 12, 2025. This order aims to ensure accountability in Karachi’s power sector.
K-Electric claimed 70% of its network is load-shedding-free, attributing outages to electricity theft and technical faults. The utility highlighted $4 billion in post-privatisation investments, reducing distribution losses by 50% and expanding its customer base. A spokesperson stated: “We are ready to cooperate with NEPRA’s technical team.” K-Electric aims for 90-95% load-shedding-free operations soon.
Karachi’s Electricity Crisis
Rising temperatures and outages lasting up to 18 hours daily have fueled public anger. Posts on social media reflect frustration. The crisis, exacerbated by heatwaves, underscores the need for urgent infrastructure improvements.
The court intervened following Sindh’s efforts to improve public services, including the implementation of free parking policies. NEPRA’s survey could catalyse systemic reforms to address Karachi’s long-standing power issues. Stakeholders are now looking for actionable outcomes to restore trust.
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Court Order | NEPRA to survey K-Electric’s infrastructure |
| Next Hearing | August 12, 2025 |
| K-Electric Fine | Rs20 million (deemed negligible) |
| Load-Shedding-Free Claim | 70% of network |
Data source: Sindh High Court
The Sindh High Court’s order marks a critical step toward resolving Karachi’s power crisis. NEPRA’s survey findings will shape future accountability measures.
