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The Sindh Assembly power committee meeting turned tense after members slammed electricity distribution company, K-Electric, for continuing load shedding at night despite a clear decision against it earlier.
The meeting of the Sindh Assembly’s Special Committee on Energy lasted four and a half hours but ended without any clear resolution, leaving lawmakers frustrated and citizens still in distress.
Committee members expressed anger when HESCO’s chief failed to attend and sent the representative out of the meeting. Officials from KE, HESCO, and SEPCO struggled to explain how load shedding schedules were changed without the committee’s approval.
Members asked K-Electric and other companies why load shedding at night resumed when the committee had ordered it to be stopped. Company officials could not provide a legal justification.
The committee has directed all electricity distribution companies to immediately stop load shedding at nighttime and only perform load shedding according to the decided schedule.
K-Electric CEO Moonis Alvi said power cuts were linked to line losses. Members interrupted him, demanding he quote the law that permits such unplanned power outages.
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The committee ordered all power companies to stop night-time outages and follow the issued schedules. It warned of legal action if the companies ignored these directives again.
Opposition Leader Ali Khorshidi said the companies had ten days after Eid to prepare a proper schedule and stop unannounced load shedding. He demanded accountability and strict consequences for violations.
Speaker Sindh Assembly Owais Qadir Shah said that every company must submit a fixed load shedding plan. He emphasized protecting citizens from unscheduled and unfair electricity cuts.
PPP’s Sadia Javed demanded an apology for harsh behavior shown by K-Electric representatives in the previous meeting. Alvi apologized on behalf of his organization and admitted to failure in theft control.
Jamaat-e-Islami’s Muhammad Farooq expressed disappointment over KE’s unchanging stance. He said Jamaat might start its own power distribution system if K-Electric fails to improve its behavior and performance.
Several members, including Bilqis Mukhtar and Sajjad Soomro, called Alvi’s attitude unserious. Soomro even told Alvi to stop using his mobile during the discussion and show respect.
Asif Musa accused K-Electric of resisting competition from private investors wanting to introduce new power companies. Many lawmakers felt KE was blocking progress and reforms for personal interest.
The committee decided to meet again after Eid ul Adha.
