Karachi hit by prolonged power cuts as demand exceeds supply

KARACHI: Power shortages and prolonged load-shedding continue to hit Pakistan’s commercial hub Karachi as electricity demand rose sharply, according to sources and residents.

Sources at K-Electric said that electricity demand in the city had reached around 3,500 megawatts, while supply stood at about 3,000 megawatts, causing a widening shortfall.

The utility’s spokesperson declined to confirm or deny the figures.

The gap between supply and demand has led to extended power outages across several parts of the city, residents said.

Areas including Surjani Town, Baldia Town and Lyari reported up to 18 hours of load-shedding, while North Karachi, Liaquatabad, Nazimabad and Garden faced around eight hours of outages.

In Soldier Bazaar and parts of Saddar, residents reported up to 12 hours of electricity cuts.

The prolonged power disruptions have also affected water supply in several neighbourhoods, residents added, as pumping systems rely on electricity.

Pakistan’s energy sector has long struggled with circular debt, transmission constraints and rising demand during peak summer months, often resulting in urban load-shedding despite installed generation capacity.

K-Electric, which supplies power to Karachi, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the reported supply-demand gap or the outage schedule.