K-Electric ends extra load shedding in Karachi as RLNG supply returns; theft-hit areas still on schedule

K-Electric has ended the temporary load shedding it imposed across Karachi during the LNG shortage, saying regasified LNG (RLNG) supply to its plants has been restored, ARY News reported on Wednesday 14 October. Power generation at its BQPS-III plant at Bin Qasim has stabilised, the company said.

Who was hit

During the shortage KE began cutting power in one-hour phases in areas that are normally exempt from load shedding, including Saddar, Clifton, DHA and Korangi, as well as Orangi Town, Liaquatabad, North Karachi and North Nazimabad. Areas already on a schedule saw longer cuts, and outages were also reported in Malir, Landhi, SITE, Baldia, Mauripur, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Gulistan-e-Jauhar, Gulshan-e-Hadeed and Scheme 33. Some localities went more than two hours without power, and the Old City Area and Razzaqabad were among the worst hit, ARY said.

Why it happened

KE said an LNG shortage cut the fuel available for generation, so it reduced supply to match. The first LNG cargo of October docked at the Engro terminal on Tuesday after five days with none, adding about 150 mmcfd to the system, which eased the squeeze on power plants. KE thanked Pakistan LNG Limited for restoring supply.

Is load shedding over?

Only the extra cuts. KE said scheduled load shedding continues in feeders with high electricity theft and low bill recovery, as before. Its regular schedule is published on its website. If your area was exempt before the shortage, it should be exempt again.

What to do

• Check your feeder on KE's load-shed schedule before assuming a cut is a fault; report faults on KE's 118 helpline or its app.
• Bills: the extra cuts do not change your tariff. You can download a duplicate bill with our K-Electric bill check guide and estimate a month's bill with the electricity bill calculator.
• Heat: Karachi is still seeing late-season heat, with the city touching 38.7 degrees this week, so a return of extra cuts would hit hard. KE has not said how long current LNG supply is secured for.