LARKANA: The Sukkur Electric Power Company (Sepco) has announced suspension of loadshedding during Sehri and Iftar timings throughout Ramazan in Larkana circle, officials confirmed at a press conference held here on Sunday.

Keeping aside the issues of defaulters, Sepco has decided to provide uninterrupted supply to the consumers during the holy month.

Superintendent Engineer Mushtaq Hussain Burdi of Sepco’s Larkana Circle, that covers Larkana division and parts of Dadu district, in a striking disclosure revealed that out of 107,000 consumers in the Larkana Circle, a staggering 80 per cent were defaulters. He was accompanied by Executive Engineer Asghar Shaikh.

According to the official figures, domestic arrears stand at Rs48 billion, while commercial outstanding dues amount to Rs800 million.

A special campaign has been launched to recover these dues and curb electricity theft, with awareness teams deployed across marked localities to make the recovery drive more effective.

They told journalists that the decision follows a high-level meeting convened by the Ministry of Energy and Power Division approximately one week ago, in which directives were issued nationwide to ensure uninterrupted power supply during Sehri and Iftar hours — even in the areas classified as defaulters.

Mr Burdi stated that under the leadership of Sepco CEO Ijaz Ahmed Channa, special measures has been put in place to provide maximum relief to consumers during Ramazan. He added that due to the round-the-clock efforts of field staff, all transformers across the Larkana and Qambar-Shahdadkot circles are operating efficiently, ensuring that citizens can perform their religious obligations without any disruption.

The official also highlighted that Sepco’s toll-free helpline 118 has proven to be a major public convenience, with complaints being resolved within an average of 30 minutes of receiving a call — a feat he described as a significant achievement for the Larkana Circle.

Officials also discouraged the practice of unauthorised individuals carrying out electrical work on utility poles in residential areas, urging citizens to report such persons with evidence so that formal cases can be registered against them.

Regarding the rural areas where meters have not yet been installed, Sepco confirmed that electricity supply during Sehri and Iftar will continue throughout Ramazan. However, consumers will be formally requested to install meters once the holy month concludes.

The Sepco authorities also assured the public that comprehensive steps will be taken to resolve electricity-related issues ahead of the upcoming summer season.

Published in Dawn, February 23rd, 2026