KARACHI: The Jamaat-i-Islami on Wednesday warned that a citywide protest would be launched if K-Electric failed to end prolonged loadshedding and inflated billing.

The party also demanded a forensic audit of the power utility and claimed that Rs1,500 billion had been received by the power utility in subsidies over the past two decades.

Addressing a press conference against the “worst loadshedding in the city” outside the KE head office in Gizri, JI Karachi chief Monam Zafar alleged that a “nexus” of KE, the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) and the government had made life miserable for citizens.

“We warn KE that if it does not mend its ways and stop oppressing the people of Karachi, a call for protest across the city would be given,” said Mr Zafar.

“The cheap electricity is provided to KE from the national grid but it sells expensive electricity to the people of Karachi. At the time of privatisation in 2005, a dream was shown that loadshedding would be ended and people would get rid of heavy bills. It was claimed that the generation, transmission and distribution system would also be improved.

“KE was sold for Rs15bn, equivalent to the price of electric poles installed in the city. Twenty years had passed, but instead of ending the loadshedding, it had been increased further and heavy bills were also being sent to consumers,” he said.

“If in an area, 96pc of people are paying electricity bills and the remaining 4pc are not paying, why are the people of Karachi being collectively punished? According to Nepra laws, electricity of an entire area cannot be cut off,” said the JI chief.

Responding to the press conference, a spokesperson for the KE said the “duration of loadshedding depends on the level of electricity theft and losses in the area”.

“Citizens are urged to ensure timely payment of their electricity bills,” he added.

Published in Dawn, October 15th, 2026