Karachi industry hit by massive loadshedding.

Byline: Aamir Shafaat Khan

KARACHI -- As Karachi residents continue to face massive power failures, K-Electric has now extended the scope of loadshedding towards the city's industrial sector by conducting seven to eight hours power cuts.

Industries in different areas are facing various durations of power breakdowns, starting from from 11pm to 6am, 12am to 7am and 12am to 8am.

According to industrialists, many units have closed down night shift production owing to no power while others might follow suit. Closure of the night shift would hit over 30 per cent of total production of the manufacturer, they added.

North Karachi Association of Trade and Industry President Naseem Akhtar said loadshedding is being carried out on the pretext of furnace oil shortage while KE's 80pc power generation depends on natural gas and RLNG. He recalled that a week ago, KE authorities had assured industries not to carry out loadshedding, but then suddenly started it on an hour's notice.

The eight-hour loadshedding would affect 35pc of production and hit exports, he said, urging Prime Minister Imran Khan to save Karachi from KE's anti-industry policy. 'We were already struggling to survive the Covid-19 threat,' Akhtar added.

Many units have shut down night shift, others might follow

Similarly, Korangi Association of Trade and Industry President Sheikh Umer Rehan urged KE to end loadshedding from 12am to 8am in the industrial area as power interruption is causing drastic effects on production and exports.

He said KE's claim regarding unavailability of furnace oil and gas for loadshedding...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT