The K-Electric (KE) refused to reduce loadshedding hours in Karachi during winter, sparking outrage at a Sindh Assembly Special Committee meeting on Wednesday.

KE’s CEO, Moonis Alvi, cited electricity theft as the reason for ongoing power outages in certain areas, irking the lawmakers.

The 11-member committee, formed in September, includes representatives from the Pakistan Peoples’ Party (PPP), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), and Jamaat-e-Islami (JI).

The committee is tasked with reviewing K-Electric (KE), Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) and Sukkur Electric Supply Company (SESCO) performance.

READ: K-Electric consumers to pay higher electricity bills

During the heated meeting, MQM-P’s Amir Siddiqui confronted KE’s CEO, leading to a tense exchange.

Siddiqui later alleged that KE officials had threatened him when he raised concerns about prolonged outages affecting Karachi residents.

Speaking to the media, Committee Chairman Fayaz Ali Butt criticized KE’s refusal to ease loadshedding, calling the CEO’s behavior inappropriate.

He said the committee aims to collaborate with power companies to resolve Karachi’s electricity woes.

Opposition Leader Ali Khurshidi highlighted severe 18-hour loadshedding in some areas and accused KE staff of colluding with electricity thieves and the generator mafia.

He also noted that power outages often occur shortly after scheduled loadshedding, disrupting daily life.

Khurshidi urged KE to align outages with water supply timings, a suggestion KE reportedly agreed to manage partially.