KARACHI: Residents of Karachi took to the streets in recent days to protest against persistent power outages that have left many without electricity for extended periods of time.
Protesters gathered outside the Firozabad police station, voicing their frustrations over the non-supply of electricity. The protests intensified as residents from the old vegetable market joined the movement.
The protests are a response to a chronic energy crisis that has plagued Pakistan for decades. Karachi in particular has been grappling with significant power shortages, with outages reportedly several hours daily.
The Karachi Electric Supply Company (K-Electric) has struggled to meet the increasing demand for electricity, leading to mounting frustration among the residents who depend on a reliable power supply for their daily needs, especially as heatwaves sail through the country more frequently due to climate change.
The electricity crisis has also exacerbated the severe water shortages facing the city of 18 million residents. Many residents reported difficulties in accessing clean drinking water, as water supply systems rely on electricity for pumping and distribution.
The dual crisis has fueled the protests, with protesters demanding an immediate action from authorities to address.
Police engaged in negotiations with protesters in an effort to de-escalate tensions and find a resolution to the ongoing issue. Reports indicate that the law enforcers were working to ‘address’ the concerns raised by the angered Karachites.
Energy crisis in Pakistan
The chronic energy shortages in the country is a long-standing issue, going so far back as during the Pervez Musharraf regime. According to the Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO), the country has been experiencing a shortfall of nearly a 5,000 megawatts, resulting in load shedding across many regions.
The situation is further complicated by an ageing infrastructure, mismanagement, rampant corruption and insufficient investment in the energy sector.
Several reports over the year indicated that the country’s electricity generation capacity has not kept pace with the gorwing demand, particularly in urban centres like Karachi.
With a population exceeding 240 million, the demand for electricity continues to rise, placing additional pressure on the government to implement reforms and invest in renewable energy sources.
The matter is further exacerbated by skyrocketing prices of electricity, both domestic and commercial, due to stringent demands of the IMF as part of bailout packages.
