The Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has strongly condemned prolonged and increasingly widespread load-shedding by K-Electric (KE), warning that persistent power disruptions are damaging industrial productivity, commercial activity, employment and the daily lives of Karachi’s residents.
KCCI President Talat Mahmood expressed concern over reports that scheduled power outages had been extended to areas previously exempted from load-shedding. He said Karachi, Pakistan’s principal commercial and industrial centre and a major contributor to the national exchequer, required a reliable electricity supply to sustain economic activity.
KCCI Raises Alarm Over Extended Power Outages
Referring to media reports of up to 14 hours of daily load-shedding in certain localities, along with additional outages in previously exempted areas, Mahmood said the situation had become increasingly difficult for businesses and households.
He stressed that electricity was an essential service and called on K-Electric to explain the reasons behind the prolonged outages and outline concrete measures to resolve the crisis.
According to the KCCI president, recurring electricity disruptions are more than a public inconvenience, as they directly affect business operations, industrial competitiveness and Pakistan’s export performance.
Industrial Production and Export Commitments Under Pressure
Mahmood said Karachi’s industries were already facing high energy costs, rising production expenses and intense competition in international markets. Unscheduled or prolonged power cuts add to these pressures by disrupting production schedules, increasing operating costs and delaying deliveries.
He warned that manufacturers could struggle to meet international orders when production lines repeatedly stop, potentially jeopardising export commitments and business relationships.
“Every hour of load-shedding means lost production, wasted resources, additional costs and mounting uncertainty for businesses,” he said, highlighting the financial burden on businesses, workers and consumers.
Small Businesses and Daily-Wage Workers Among the Most Affected
The KCCI president noted that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) were particularly vulnerable because many lacked the financial resources to invest in expensive alternative power arrangements.
Power outages also affect shops, markets, offices and service providers that depend on a consistent electricity supply to operate. Daily-wage workers face additional risks as disruptions can reduce working hours and interrupt income-generating activities.
Mahmood warned that the combined impact of these interruptions could further weaken commercial activity across the city.
KCCI Seeks Transparency Over RLNG Supply Constraints
While acknowledging K-Electric’s attribution of the latest load management to nationwide regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) supply constraints and international supply disruptions, Mahmood said consumers should not bear the resulting burden without clear explanations and effective contingency planning.
He argued that fuel supply difficulties made transparent communication, efficient resource utilisation and timely relief measures even more important.
The KCCI president called for clear information about the causes of the electricity shortfall, the steps being taken to manage it and the expected timeline for restoring normal supply.
K-Electric Urged to Restore Normal Supply
Mahmood called on K-Electric to immediately review its load-management arrangements, maximise the utilisation of available generation capacity and electricity supplies, and improve coordination with relevant federal authorities.
He urged the utility to take all possible measures to minimise disruptions and restore normal electricity supply at the earliest opportunity.
Government and Regulators Asked to Intervene
KCCI also called on the federal and provincial governments, the Ministry of Energy and relevant regulatory authorities to intervene urgently and assess the actual causes and extent of the power crisis.
The chamber urged authorities to ensure that any electricity shortfall was managed through a transparent, equitable and time-bound mechanism that minimised the impact on consumers and businesses.
Mahmood reaffirmed that KCCI would continue raising the business community’s concerns at relevant forums and pursue practical measures to secure reliable and affordable electricity for Karachi’s industries, commercial establishments and residents.