Karachi load-shedding on peak as duration reaches 12 to 16 hours

KARACHI (92 News) - Load-shedding in Karachi continued on peak as duration reached 12 to 16 hours, with residential and commercial consumers bearing the brunt. According to the reports, K-Electric, the metropolis' sole power supplier, blames it on a gas shortage, stating that low gas pressure was affecting its generation capability. The Sanjhoro and Zargun gas fields are closed for annual maintenance and the amount of gas extracted from other fields is lower than usual. K-Electric says this has affected the amount of power it can produce. Talking in 92 News program "Subh Savaray", the Sui Southern Gas Company spokesman Shahbaz Islam said that the shortage of gas is due to technical difficulties. "The problem will be solved in a few days," he added. The K-Electric further added to the despair of Karachi's residents and even the exempted areas experienced five-to-six hours of power outages. Prolonged spells of load-shedding were experienced in different areas of Karachi, including Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Golimar, Defence Housing Authority (DHA), Defence View’s Phase 1, Clifton, PECHS, Saadi Town, Gulshan-e-Maymar, New Karachi, Quaidebad, North Karachi, Nazimabad, North Nazimabad, Gulberg, Quaidabad, Gulshan-e-Bonaire, Gulshan-e-Hadeed, Gulshan-e-Maymar, Malir Jaffar Tayar, Saudabad, Khokrapar, Kharadar, and Martin Quarters. Moreover, areas such as Lyari, Lines Area, Malir, Surjani Town, Korangi, and New Karachi, were facing power outages of approximately 12 hours. On the other hand, Federal Power Minister Omar Ayub has in turn held the Sindh government responsible for the gas shortage. He said it is not giving right of way permission for a new gas pipeline, despite one and a half years passing. He said K-Electric is getting 100 million MMCFD of gas every day.