SHC Issues Notices to K-Electric, NEPRA Over Outages

News Desk
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday issued formal notices to power utility K-Electric (KE) and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) in response to a petition challenging prolonged power outages lasting up to 16 hours daily in Karachi’s vital Industrial SITE Area.
A newly formed constitutional bench of the high court presided over the hearing, taking up the petition that highlights the severe disruptions caused by unannounced and persistent load shedding in one of the country’s primary industrial zones.
The petitioners, representing various industrial units, argued that the persistent and unscheduled power cuts have crippled manufacturing operations, leading to massive production delays, missed export targets, and severe financial losses.
They contended that despite paying exorbitant electricity tariffs and additional fuel adjustment charges, businesses are being deprived of basic utility services, which directly violates their fundamental constitutional rights and the utility provider’s licensing terms.
This severe energy crisis in Karachi’s industrial heartland threatens to derail Pakistan’s fragile economic stabilization efforts.
As the country grapples with high inflation and strives to boost its export-led growth, shutting down production units in the SITE area—which contributes billions to the national exchequer and employs hundreds of thousands of workers—could trigger widespread layoffs, supply chain disruptions, and a further decline in investor confidence.
Consequently, the SHC constitutional bench has directed K-Electric and the federal power regulator, NEPRA, to submit comprehensive written replies explaining the rationale behind the extensive load-shedding schedule and outlining immediate remedial measures.
The court has adjourned the hearing to a later date, demanding swift action to protect the industrial sector from further economic deterioration.