SC rejects K-Electric’s report over load-shedding in Karachi

KARACHI: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has rejected the report submitted by K-Electric regarding continuous load shedding in Karachi.

During the hearing on Thursday, Chief Justice of Pakistan Gulzar Ahmed remarked that the power supply to half of the city has been suspended following court orders on which K-Electric accused Pakistan State Oil of not providing the fuel, the Chief Justice said. “You should have found an alternative way to overcome this crisis,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, a representative of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) told the Supreme Court that K-Electric had the capacity to store 20 tonnes of fuel but did not keep it safe. The court then adjourned the hearing, ordering an inquiry into the company that bought K-Electric.

Earlier, the Supreme Court had directed to register a case against K-Electric in connection with the deaths caused by electricity during monsoon rain in Karachi. The Chief Justice had also ordered to put the name of Syed Moonis Abdullah Alvi, Chief Executive Officer of K-Electric, on the exit control list and conduct an audit of the company.

Expressing anger over the prolonged power outage in Karachi, the Chief Justice reprimanded the concerned authorities and remarked that people were deeply disturbed by the issue.

K-Electric’s lawyer replied that power theft was the main reason behind the load shedding. The Chief Justice further asked why no action has been taken against the culprits so far to curb power theft.