RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: The residential consumers of K-Electric at various city neighbourhoods have complained they suffered due to unabated power outages even during first Sehr and Iftar of the holy month of Ramazan.

The unannounced and prolonged power cut has exposed KE’s tall claim to provide maximum relief to the consumers during the holy month of Ramazan.

Korangi, Lines Area, Lyari, Safoora Goth, North Karachi sector 5 M, Sohrab Goth, Baldia, Keamari, Federal B Area Block 20 and surrounding areas remained the worst affected areas where the power electricity supply remains suspended for hours.

“We had first Sehr of the holy month without electricity,” lamented a resident of North Karachi Sector M who told Business Recorder that their area had no power supply since 6 p.m. Wednesday to Thursday morning. Others said their areas witnessed power outage during Iftar timing.

Meanwhile, a KE Spokesperson said that all out efforts would be made to exempt residential customers from load-shedding during Sehr and Iftar. He said KE teams remain available round the clock and would remain particularly vigilant during Sehr and Iftar to resolve local faults. He said residential customers would be given priority during Sehr and Iftar whereas industrial areas would experience up to 6-hour load-shedding during night to ensure that maximum relief is provided to residential customers during Ramazan.

Currently, KE is experiencing a power shortfall due to which previously exempted residential areas are facing load-management of up to 2 hours (reduced from 3 hours), whereas routine load-shed will be carried out in rest of the areas, as per their respective losses category. The maximum duration of load-shedding being carried out in Karachi is up to 7.5 hours whereas no unscheduled load-shed is carried out in the city. KE categorically denied reports of excessive load shedding and requests that localized outages due to fault, theft and kunda-related issues should not be portrayed as load-shedding.

K-Electric is making all possible efforts to restore its affected unit at Bin Qasim Power Station where the rotor, weighing over 41 tonnes, was airlifted via the cargo aircraft Antonov on emergency basis yesterday. Installation and re-energization of the affected unit is expected to be completed by May 20 which will lead to improved power supply in Karachi.