Prime Minister Abbasi intervenes and solves Karachi's power issue

Following the Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's directives to resolve the city's power load-shedding issue, Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has increased gas supply to K-Electric. 

Addressing a press conference at the Governor House in Karachi, the Prime Minister said, "Gas will be supplied as and when needed. In 15 days, all dues are to be determined and settled. There is no chance of KE being taken over by the government. It is a private company."

During a one day visit to the metropolis, the premier said that all problems with KWSB have been resolved. “KE will be provided 190 MMCFD gas as required,” he added.

SSGC has started supplying 130 mmcfd of gas to K-Electric from today, a K-Electric spokesperson confirmed on Monday. The power utility company was earlier being supplied with 90 mmcfd of gas.

The load-shedding would be reduced from today due to the increased supply. Industrial zones would be exempted from power outages starting today, the spokesperson said. 

For the past few weeks, Karachi has been facing severe power load-shedding after a bitter row between K-Electric and Sui Southern Gas Company. The demand for power surged in the wake of a heatwave in the country’s largest city.

On Thursday, officials of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) briefed the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat and held K-Electric responsible for the power cuts in Karachi.

The integrated power company, which is on its way to seeing a change in management after becoming a profitable entity, holds Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) responsible for the fiasco. The gas company, however, says its dues need to be cleared for seamless supply. It says the amount stands at Rs79 billion.