KARACHI: Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi will chair a special meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) today to resolve the power crisis in Karachi.
Abbasi reached the city from Islamabad earlier today.
Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who arrived in Karachi, will also attend the special meeting.
That the premier will also summon a detailed report from K-Electric, the metropolis’ main power supplier, and Karachi and Water Sewage Board over the issue.
Since the last few weeks, Karachi has been facing severe load-shedding after K-Electric said the Sui Southern Gas Company has curbed supply and it is thus unable to produce the required amount of power. The gas company claims KE owes it millions in dues and will restore supply once the payments are made.
The residents bear the brunt of the tug-of-war as prolonged power cuts have continued to plague Karachi, with previously exempted areas being subjected to six hours of load-shedding every day.
The areas most affected by the ongoing power crisis include blocks 8, 9, 10, 13 and 14 of Federal B Area, C-1, C and No. 10 localities of Liaquatabad, Orangi Town, Korangi, Safoora Goth, Scheme 33, Abul Hasan Isphahani Road, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Malir, Model Colony, New Karachi and North Karachi.
Owing to the power cuts, the work in government and private offices is being affected. In the courts, officials were seen using torches of their mobile phones to write in the dark whereas suspects brought for hearings seemed to be in a miserable state due to the heat.
The officials of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) briefed the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat and held KE responsible for the ongoing power cuts in Karachi.
Moreover, both Abbasi and Shehbaz will also attend a seminar on China Pakistan Economic Corridor in Karachi today.
