Anti-Theft Operation
KARACHI: K-Electric (KE), with the support of law enforcement agencies, is ramping up its efforts to combat power theft and address non-payment issues across various regions in Karachi.
As part of its ongoing anti-theft operations, KE recently conducted a significant operation in the Manghopir Marble Industrial Area, where it successfully removed 1,000 kg of illegal “kunda” connections—makeshift, unauthorized power lines that facilitate electricity theft.
Additionally, a transformer that had been illicitly supplying power to the marble industry was disconnected as part of the operation.
Despite facing resistance from certain individuals during the operation, KE, backed by law enforcement, successfully carried out the mission. This is part of a broader initiative by K-Electric to curb power theft in industrial zones, with 18 similar anti-theft operations carried out in the marble industry alone over the past six months.
In a previous campaign during Ramadan, KE removed another 300 kg of illegal power connections from its infrastructure, underscoring its commitment to tackling the problem head-on.
Illegal electricity connections not only drain resources from the grid, leading to significant financial losses, but they also pose major safety risks, threaten the integrity of power infrastructure, and jeopardize public safety. K-Electric’s ongoing efforts aim to reduce such risks and improve the overall safety and reliability of electricity supply in Karachi.
Currently, around 70% of KE’s network is exempt from load-shedding, while high-theft areas are subjected to power disruptions as a consequence of these illegal activities.
KE continues to urge consumers and local representatives to discourage power theft and ensure timely payment of electricity bills to maintain a continuous and reliable electricity supply for all.
Meanwhile, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) held a public hearing regarding K-Electric’s petition for a provisional monthly fuel charge adjustment (FCA) for February 2025. KE has requested a reduction of Rs 6.62 per unit in the electricity tariff for the month.
NEPRA has yet to make a final decision, as it is still reviewing the submitted data and statistics. If the petition is approved, the adjustment will apply to all consumer categories, excluding lifeline consumers, protected domestic users, electric vehicle charging stations (EVCS), and prepaid meter consumers.
