# *Detailed SUMMARY of the article “Why just K-Electric?” by Editorial, Published in Dawn on May 31st, 2025:* The editorial discusses the *National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA)*’s strong criticism of *K-Electric (KE)*, Pakistan’s only privatized power distribution company, for excessive *power blackouts* in Karachi, lasting over *12 hours daily* during peak summer. *NEPRA* has demanded that *KE* address consumer hardships, highlighting that these outages disrupt *economic activity* in Pakistan’s financial hub and reflect *KE*’s deteriorating performance in *transmission and distribution (T&D) losses* and *recovery rates*. The regulator notes a decline in *load-shedding-free areas* from *76%* to *70%*, lower than some public-sector *distribution companies (Discos)*, undermining the privatization goals of *operational efficiency* and *reliable power supply*. *NEPRA* criticizes *KE*’s *feeder shutdowns* to control losses or force recoveries as *legally unjustifiable* and *ethically unacceptable*, unfairly impacting compliant consumers and eroding trust. However, the editorial questions *NEPRA*’s focus solely on *KE*, pointing out that *government policy* nationwide, including public-sector *Discos* and *gas companies*, similarly enforces blackouts in high-theft, low-recovery areas. Despite *KE*’s shortcomings, it has reduced *T&D losses* from *38%* to *20%* through a *$4 billion investment* in network upgrades and limited load-shedding to *30%* of its areas, a significant achievement. The editorial argues that singling out *KE* could hinder the privatization of other *Discos*, which the government is struggling to sell, as they also face rising *T&D losses* and *theft* due to high electricity prices. # *Easy/Short SUMMARY*: *NEPRA* has criticized *K-Electric* for *12-hour daily blackouts* in Karachi, citing poor performance in *T&D losses* and *recoveries*, which disrupts the economy and violates privatization goals. While *NEPRA* calls *KE*’s feeder shutdowns *illegal* and *unethical*, the editorial questions why only *KE* is targeted, as *government Discos* follow similar practices. *KE* reduced *T&D losses* from *38%* to *20%* with a *$4 billion investment*, and focusing only on *KE* may resist *Discos* privatization. # *SOLUTIONS of The Problem*: ## *1. Uniform Regulation* Apply *NEPRA*’s standards equally to *KE* and public-sector *Discos* to address blackouts and *T&D losses* consistently. ## *2. Revise Government Policy* End the practice of feeder shutdowns for loss control across all utilities, replacing it with targeted anti-theft measures. ## *3. Enhance Infrastructure* Increase investment in *KE* and *Discos*’ transmission networks to reduce outages and improve reliability. ## *4. Improve Recovery Mechanisms* Implement digital billing and prepaid meters to boost recovery rates without punishing compliant consumers. ## *5. Subsidize Low-Income Areas* Provide subsidies to high-theft, low-recovery areas to reduce economic pressures driving non-payment. ## *6. Strengthen Oversight* Empower *NEPRA* to conduct regular audits of all utilities to ensure compliance with performance standards. ## *7. Promote Renewable Energy* Encourage *KE* and *Discos* to adopt solar and wind power to reduce reliance on costly fossil fuels, lowering tariffs. ## *8. Public Awareness Campaigns* Educate consumers on energy conservation and timely bill payments to reduce *T&D losses*. ## *9. Fast-Track Privatization Reforms* Address *KE*’s inefficiencies while ensuring privatization of *Discos* proceeds with clear performance benchmarks. ## *10. Engage Stakeholders* Involve local communities and businesses in planning to address Karachi’s specific power challenges. # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures Given in the article*: - *NEPRA* notes *12-hour daily blackouts* in Karachi during peak summer.[](https://www.dawn.com/news/1914181/nepra-raps-k-electric-over-excessive-power-outages-consumer) - *KE*’s *load-shedding-free areas* dropped from *76%* to *70%*, lower than some *Discos*.[](https://www.dawn.com/news/1914181/nepra-raps-k-electric-over-excessive-power-outages-consumer) - *KE* reduced *T&D losses* from *38%* to *20%* with a *$4 billion investment*.[](https://www.dawn.com/news/1914181/nepra-raps-k-electric-over-excessive-power-outages-consumer) - Load-shedding is enforced in *30%* of *KE*’s jurisdiction.[](https://www.dawn.com/news/1914181/nepra-raps-k-electric-over-excessive-power-outages-consumer) - *NEPRA* deems *feeder shutdowns* for loss control *legally unjustifiable* and *ethically unacceptable*.[](https://www.dawn.com/news/1914181/nepra-raps-k-electric-over-excessive-power-outages-consumer) - *Government Discos* and *gas companies* also enforce blackouts in high-theft areas.[](https://www.dawn.com/news/1914181/nepra-raps-k-electric-over-excessive-power-outages-consumer) # *IMPORTANT Facts and Figures out of the article*: - Karachi faced *16–20 hour outages* in some areas in 2024, per *PPP* claims.[](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2470359/ppp-blasts-govt-over-karachi-blackouts)[](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2470399/govt-draws-ppp-flak-over-karachi-blackouts) - *KE* manages *2,109 feeders*, with *1,500* reportedly free of load-shedding in 2024.[](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2470359/ppp-blasts-govt-over-karachi-blackouts) - *NEPRA* fined *KE* and *NTDC* for outages in *2021* and *2022*.[](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2397356/major-power-breakdown-across-pakistan) - Pakistan’s *circular debt* in the power sector reached *PKR 2.6 trillion* in 2024 (*Fitch*).[](https://asian-power.com/power-utility/exclusive/pakistans-energy-and-economic-woes-intensify-blackouts-reveal-deep-rooted-issues) - *KE*’s 20-year license was renewed by *NEPRA* in *November 2023*.[](https://arynews.tv/these-karachi-areas-to-face-power-outages-on-wednesday/) - *10%* of *KE* feeders have *T&D losses* exceeding *25%* in 2024.[](https://tribune.com.pk/story/2470359/ppp-blasts-govt-over-karachi-blackouts) # *MCQs from the Article*: ### 1. *How long are daily blackouts in some Karachi areas, per NEPRA?* A. 6 hours *B. 12 hours* C. 8 hours D. 16 hours [](https://www.dawn.com/news/1914181/nepra-raps-k-electric-over-excessive-power-outages-consumer) ### 2. *What percentage of KE’s areas are load-shedding-free, per NEPRA?* A. 76% *B. 70%* C. 38% D. 20% [](https://www.dawn.com/news/1914181/nepra-raps-k-electric-over-excessive-power-outages-consumer) ### 3. *By how much did KE reduce T&D losses since privatization?* A. From 20% to 10% *B. From 38% to 20%* C. From 50% to 30% D. From 30% to 15% [](https://www.dawn.com/news/1914181/nepra-raps-k-electric-over-excessive-power-outages-consumer) ### 4. *What practice does NEPRA call legally unjustifiable?* A. Raising tariffs *B. Feeder shutdowns* C. Privatization D. Subsidizing power [](https://www.dawn.com/news/1914181/nepra-raps-k-electric-over-excessive-power-outages-consumer) ### 5. *What is a key goal of KE’s privatization, per the article?* A. Higher tariffs *B. Reliable power supply* C. Increased T&D losses D. Public ownership [](https://www.dawn.com/news/1914181/nepra-raps-k-electric-over-excessive-power-outages-consumer) # *VOCABULARY*: 1. *Relentless* (مسلسل) – Persistent or unyielding 2. *Blackouts* (بجلی کی بندش) – Power outages 3. *Privatised* (نجکاری شدہ) – Transferred to private ownership 4. *Regulator* (ریگولیٹر) – Authority overseeing an industry 5. *Hardship* (مشقت) – Severe suffering or difficulty 6. *Parameters* (پیرامیٹرز) – Measurable factors or limits 7. *Transmission* (ترسیل) – Transfer of electricity 8. *Recoveries* (وصولی) – Collection of payments or dues 9. *Deteriorating* (بگڑتا ہوا) – Worsening or declining 10. *Undermines* (کمزور کرنا) – Weakens or subverts 11. *Obligations* (ذمہ داریاں) – Duties or responsibilities 12. *Mismanagement* (بدانتظامی) – Poor or inefficient handling 13. *Inadequacies* (کمی) – Shortcomings or deficiencies 14. *Conceded* (تسلیم کیا) – Admitted or acknowledged 15. *Justifiable* (جائز) – Defensible or acceptable 16. *Ethically* (اخلاقی طور پر) – In a morally correct manner 17. *Compliant* (تعمیل کرنے والا) – Adhering to rules 18. *Jurisdiction* (دائرہ اختیار) – Area of authority 19. *Upgradation* (اپ گریڈیشن) – Improvement or modernization 20. *Resistance* (مزاحمت) – Opposition to change # *Chart of T&D Losses Reduction by K-Electric* Below is a chart illustrating *K-Electric*’s reduction in *Transmission and Distribution (T&D) Losses* from *38%* to *20%* since privatization, as mentioned in the article.[](https://www.dawn.com/news/1914181/nepra-raps-k-electric-over-excessive-power-outages-consumer) ```chartjs { "type": "bar", "data": { "labels": ["Pre-Privatization", "Post-Privatization"], "datasets": [{ "label": "T&D Losses (%)", "data": [38, 20], "backgroundColor": ["#ff6f61", "#6b7280"], "borderColor": ["#ff6f61", "#6b7280"], "borderWidth": 1 }] }, "options": { "scales": { "y": { "beginAtZero": true, "title": { "display": true, "text": "T&D Losses (%)" }, "max": 50 }, "x": { "title": { "display": true, "text": "Period" } } }, "plugins": { "legend": { "display": true, "position": "top" }, "title": { "display": true, "text": "K-Electric T&D Losses Reduction" } } } } ``` --- 📢 *Attention Please!* We appreciate your commitment to acquiring knowledge through our summaries. 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In a letter sent to K-Electric, the country’s only privatised distribution company, the power regulator wants its management to put an end to consumers’ hardship. In addition to causing suffering, it has noted that blackouts of long duration are disrupting economic activity in the nation’s financial and commercial hub. It has sought an explanation from the utility over what it describes as its deteriorating performance across several key parameters, including but not limited to transmission and distribution losses and lower recoveries. The downward trend in KE’s performance undermines the intended goals of its privatisation — ie, “improvements in operational efficiency and ... a reliable, uninterrupted electricity supply to consumers within its service territory”. It says the current situation “raises serious questions about KE’s ability and commitment to fulfil its obligations”. Nepra has attributed the ongoing problems being faced by Karachi residents to the KE’s mismanagement and operational inadequacies. That the regulator has finally noticed the impact of enforced blackouts on private consumers and businesses is a positive development. In fact, it has finally conceded that feeder shutdowns to control T&D losses or force recoveries is neither legally justifiable nor ethically acceptable, and “unfairly punish compliant consumers and undermine public trust in the utility’s management”. Nevertheless, it is perplexing to see Nepra training its guns only at KE, which is, after all, not the only power utility enforcing ‘illegal’ blackouts in low-recovery, high-theft areas within its jurisdiction. It is stated government policy that is being implemented nationwide, including by public sector utilities for many years now — a practice also being followed by gas companies to minimise their losses. The government-controlled Discos, too, are facing issues related to rising T&D losses and theft due to increased electricity prices. Indeed, in the eyes of many, KE’s performance may have left a lot to be desired since its privatisation. However, the fact that it has reduced T&D losses from 38pc to 20pc through an investment of $4bn in network upgradation while restricting enforced load-shedding to only 30pc of the areas in its jurisdiction is a major accomplishment. Singling it out for enforced blackouts, lower recoveries or T&D losses will only strengthen resistance to the privatisation of other power companies the government is struggling to sell. Published in Dawn, May 31st, 2025