KATI Criticizes Exclusion of Karachi from PM’s Relief on Electricity Bills.

KARACHI: The President of the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), Johar
Qandhari, has expressed concern over the exclusion of Karachi from Prime Minister Shehbaz
Sharif’s decision to extend the payment deadline for July and August electricity bills by 10 days.
While the extension applies to consumers across the country, K-Electric, the utility responsible
for electricity distribution in Karachi, was notably absent from the notification.
Qandhari emphasized that this oversight leaves Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and industrial
hub with over 25 million residents and more than 3 million K-Electric consumers, without the
intended relief. “It is disturbing that Karachi has been deprived of this much-needed extension,”
he stated.
The President of KATI highlighted that NEPRA had confirmed over-billing by all electricity
distribution companies nationwide, including K-Electric. In response to this, the Prime Minister
had announced the extension to ease the burden on consumers. However, the exclusion of K-
Electric means that Karachi’s consumers, who were also affected by the over-billing, will not
benefit from the relief measures.
Qandhari demanded that the government immediately amend the notification to include K-
Electric, ensuring that the people and industrial consumers of Karachi receive the same relief as
the rest of the country. He pointed out that consumers are already struggling with high electricity
tariffs and capacity charges from Independent Power Producers (IPPs). “Over-billing by the
DISCOs adds to this burden, making it a double injustice,” he said.
The President of KATI also remarked on the broader economic impact, noting that exorbitant
electricity bills are not only straining individuals but also affecting the economy and exports due
to increased production costs. He called for urgent reforms to the electricity system, advocating
for the provision of electricity at fair and lower prices. He urged that DISCOs and IPPs be
mandated to ensure uninterrupted power supply and to eliminate over-billing practices.