Karachi: K-Electric, in a significant crackdown on electricity theft, has successfully removed over 1,800 illegal connections in the Saddar and Gulistan-e-Jauhar areas of the city. This operation, conducted in collaboration with law-enforcement agencies, aimed to curb the rampant electricity theft that poses safety risks and financial losses.
According to K-Electric, in Saddar, the power utility eliminated 1,325 illegal connections, known locally as 'kundas,' which collectively weighed 1,135 kg and were responsible for the theft of more than 300,000 units of electricity each month. The operation also led to the discovery of 262 cases of electricity theft, the disconnection of 505 defaulters, and the filing of eight First Information Reports (FIRs). In Gulistan-e-Jauhar, an additional 500 kundas weighing 2,000 kg were removed, which had been stealing approximately 1.1 million units of electricity monthly.
The issue of electricity theft in Karachi is a major challenge for the utility company, as illegal connections often bypass safety protocols, creating hazardous conditions and risking lives. These unauthorized connections significantly contribute to the area's loss profile, which is a critical factor in determining the prevalence of load shedding in different parts of the city.
K-Electric highlighted that nearly 70% of its network currently enjoys an exemption from load shedding, attributing this to ongoing efforts to reduce losses and enhance electricity delivery. The utility emphasized the importance of community cooperation in achieving these goals, urging customers, elected representatives, and community leaders to promote timely bill payments and discourage practices like electricity theft. Such community involvement is essential for K-Electric to provide reliable and safe power throughout Karachi.