Sunday May 28, 2023
Loadshedding schedule has not changed since March,” says KE.
It is said that about 70-75% of the grid receives uninterrupted electricity.
"Throughout Pakistan, the rates charged are the same for each category," adds KE.
People across the country are spending restless days and sleepless nights due to prolonged power outages amid scorching heat and the situation in Karachi is no different.
The power outages that have gripped the port city for the past few weeks have increased manifold and caused immense suffering to the people.
While Karachiites claim that the frequency of load shedding has multiplied significantly, K-Electric (KE) has said that the load shedding plan for Karachi has not changed since March 2023, The News reported on Sunday.
"The company conducts regular theft, loss and recovery assessments on more than 2,000 feeders that form the basis of the city's load shedding schedules," the utility said.
A KE spokesperson said in an online statement that there is no new schedule for load shedding.
He commented on the electricity supply situation by saying: “About 70-75% of our grid currently receives uninterrupted electricity. These areas show low incidences of electricity theft and bills are paid on time and in full.”
The statement said the remaining network “includes areas where up to 90% of electricity is stolen and bills against actual consumption remain unpaid. These areas make up around 25% of our network.”
"Even in these locations, the company supplies electricity up to 14 hours a day," reads the statement.
However, utilities do not operate in a vacuum. In the current macroeconomic conditions and rising fuel costs for power generation, "free electricity" cannot be provided where bill payments are low and falling, the statement said.
To clear up misconceptions about the rates, the spokesperson said that across Pakistan, the rates charged in customer accounts are the same for each category. These are set by the National Electricity Regulatory Authority (Nepra), notified by the federal government and apply to all distribution companies, including KE.
"No company can change the tariff by itself. As the government increases rates, DISCOs and KEs have to charge customers the same,” the spokeswoman said.
A spokesman confirmed that the burden could be reduced if customers paid their bills regularly. He also appreciated the cooperation of Sindh Government and Power Division for their support in inculcating the culture of regular bill payment through their elected representatives in various areas of Karachi.
Proposing the way forward, the KE spokesperson said the support of the elected representatives of the areas was essential to ensure fair and sustainable electricity supply to all areas and asked them to urge residents to prioritize bill payments while demanding and taking strict measures against electricity theft.
“The long-term sustainability of the industry lies in the ability to adapt and adjust our electricity consumption patterns and adopt energy-saving measures so that customers can cope with the current economic conditions.
"All stakeholders from customers to the provincial and federal governments have a role to play," the spokesperson concluded.
