Karachi: Barely a week after K-Electric (KE) conducted a massive crackdown in Karachi’s SITE, the power utility led an enforcement drive in the same area as miscreants resumed theft of electricity from a loadshed-exempted industrial feeder. KE’s governance teams, in collaboration with law-enforcement, had last week dismantled the infrastructure where an industrial feeder was being used to steal electricity.
In a matter of days, KE’s advanced data monitoring unearthed loss of units on the feeder again, prompting the utility’s governance teams to take immediate action. However, like the previous occasions, KE and law-enforcement officials were met with violence as mobs gathered to disrupt the operation against electricity theft.
Miscreants, who have proven to be involved in chronic theft, also directly threatened the media teams who were onground to cover the event.
A KE spokesperson said KE’s teams took decisive action and disconnected the underground cables that were now being used to steal electricity. “During the drive, our teams were again met with violence. However, we are grateful for the help of security and law-enforcement as KE managed to complete its drive. These networks used for stealing electricity not only compromise system reliability, increase commercial losses, and expose surrounding areas to grave safety hazards, but also damage KE’s infrastructure and disrupt supply for paying consumers.”
KE regularly conducts such operations in these areas where mobs repeatedly gather to prevent the utility’s enforcement teams from performing their duty.
KE reiterates its commitment to eliminating electricity theft, and protecting critical infrastructure across its service territory. The utility will continue strict action against all forms of power theft in coordination with law enforcement agencies.
About K-Electric:
K-Electric (KE) is a public listed company incorporated in Pakistan in 1913 as KESC. Privatized in 2005, KE is the only vertically integrated power utility in Pakistan supplying electricity to Karachi and its adjoining areas. The majority shares (66.4%) of the Company are owned by KES Power, a consortium of investors including Al-Jomaih Power Limited of Saudi Arabia, National Industries Group (Holding) of Kuwait, and KE Holdings (Formerly: Infrastructure and Growth Capital Fund or IGCF). The Government of Pakistan is also a shareholder (24.36%) in the Company while the remaining are listed as free float shares.