Karachi, Pakistan, is experiencing escalating tensions as severe electricity shortages continue to plague various areas of the city. On September 25, frustrated residents took to the streets in violent protests, demanding immediate action to restore electricity after enduring power cuts for at least three days.
Residents of Nafeesabad and Teen Hatti were particularly vocal, expressing their anger over the situation. They set tires on fire and erected roadblocks, effectively halting traffic and bringing parts of the city to a standstill, as reported by the Express Tribune.
The demonstrators voiced concerns that the prolonged outages have led to water shortages in their homes, severely disrupting daily life. This situation has particularly affected children and daily wage workers, who are unable to carry out their activities due to the lack of electricity. Protesters highlighted the irony of paying substantial bills to K-Electric, the local power supplier, while enduring persistent blackouts.
During the protests, residents confronted K-Electric staff, blocking their vehicles and demanding swift action to resolve the power crisis. Protesters declared that their demonstrations would continue until power was restored.
Pakistan is grappling with a broader energy crisis, marked by rising demand and inadequate supply of conventional energy sources. The energy deficit has reached alarming levels, with a reported shortfall of 6,000 megawatts in October 2023, leading to an import bill of USD 7 billion for energy.
The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) indicated in its 2022 annual report that Pakistan’s installed generation capacity is 43,775 megawatts, with a mere 7 per cent sourced from renewable energy. This heavy reliance on non-renewable and costly fossil fuels constitutes 59 per cent of the energy mix, exacerbating the crisis.
The roots of Pakistan’s energy issues can be traced back to the 1970s when significant infrastructure projects like the Mangla and Tarbela dams were initiated. These projects temporarily alleviated energy demands through hydroelectric generation. However, despite government efforts to increase generation capacity, these measures have not kept pace with soaring demand.
The World Bank projects that Pakistan’s energy demand will increase by 70 per cent by 2030, while supply is expected to grow by only 45 per cent. This widening gap poses serious challenges, further compounded by outdated transmission lines, infrastructure deficiencies, line losses, and rampant power theft.
The ongoing protests in Karachi reflect deep-rooted frustrations over the persistent electricity crisis affecting daily life. With rising energy demands and insufficient supply, the situation calls for urgent governmental intervention and a reevaluation of Pakistan’s energy strategies. As residents continue to demand accountability and action, the need for sustainable energy solutions becomes increasingly urgent.