Hours-long load shedding under the guise of maintenance and repair work continues across Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city.
The prolonged power outages, particularly during periods of intense heat, have made daily life increasingly difficult for residents.
According to reports, extended electricity disruptions by K-Electric are significantly affecting routine activities. During the past week, the utility announced scheduled power shutdowns on several feeders, resulting in electricity outages lasting several hours in a number of areas.
Media reports indicate that both scheduled and unannounced outages have also disrupted water supply in several parts of the city, including North Karachi, Malir, Korangi and Orangi Town. The lack of electricity at pumping stations has led to water shortages, a situation many residents have described as unacceptable.
It is worth noting that the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) previously sought an explanation from K-Electric regarding the prolonged load shedding. In response, K-Electric maintained that maintenance work is necessary to upgrade transformers and improve the power distribution network. However, many residents believe that the duration of outages is being unnecessarily extended in the name of maintenance.
Residents argue that prolonged power cuts severely disrupt everyday life and create a range of additional problems, the most significant of which is water scarcity.
The outages also affect children’s education, business activities and industrial production in various parts of the city.
