Severe Heatwave Worsened by Prolonged Power Outages in Karachi, Jamaat-e-Islami Urges NEPRA and Federal Govt to Take Immediate Action

Karachi – Amid an intense heatwave, Karachi residents are enduring prolonged and unannounced power outages, leading to mounting public frustration and health concerns. Jamaat-e-Islami has called on the federal government and the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to urgently intervene and address the worsening electricity crisis in the city.
Despite the soaring temperatures, K-Electric has intensified unannounced load shedding across several neighborhoods, leaving citizens to suffer without electricity for long hours, especially during the night. Areas such as Baldia Town are experiencing daily power outages ranging from 12 to 15 hours. Residents of Ittehad Town, Saeedabad Sector F-9, Qaimkhani Colony, and Gulshan-e-Ghazi are also without electricity for prolonged periods.
Local residents complain that power is restored intermittently for only 1.5 hours, followed by a 3-hour blackout cycle. Even areas previously exempt from load shedding, including Nazimabad, Garden West, and Gulistan-e-Jauhar, are now experiencing frequent disruptions. Many residents express anger, stating they are facing outages despite paying their electricity bills.
In a press conference, Jamaat-e-Islami Karachi Ameer Munim Zafar criticized NEPRA for its inaction, stating, “NEPRA imposed a fine on K-Electric, yet the outages continue. K-Electric’s license should be immediately revoked.” He demanded that Karachi be supplied with electricity directly from the national grid, emphasizing that the ongoing crisis is severely affecting the lives of Karachiites.
Zafar also highlighted the city’s deepening water crisis, noting that the K-IV water supply project remains incomplete. He stated that many areas have not received water for over a month, forcing residents to purchase private water tankers for exorbitant prices — Rs. 15,000 for a tanker that normally costs Rs. 3,000.
He concluded by saying, “Karachi has been left without electricity, water, and security. The city’s infrastructure is crumbling, and immediate intervention is necessary.”
It is worth noting that NEPRA recently rejected K-Electric CEO Moonis Alvi’s explanation during a hearing on the March monthly fuel adjustment request, citing the worsening load shedding situation in Karachi.