KARACHI, Pakistan: The Sindh High Court (SHC) has raised serious concerns over K-Electric’s delay in introducing a prepaid electricity billing system, questioning why a modern and transparent solution has not yet been implemented despite years of consumer complaints and mounting evidence of overbilling.
During Friday’s hearing on a petition against prolonged and unfair load-shedding, Justice Iqbal Kalhoro sharply questioned the utility’s legal counsel: “Why not introduce a system where electricity cannot be consumed without a prepaid card?” The court noted that such a system could prevent theft, ensure timely payments, and protect honest, bill-paying citizens from unfair load-shedding.
K-Electric’s representatives argued that implementing a prepaid metering system would require new policies and significant infrastructure upgrades, estimating a five-year timeline for a full rollout. The court, however, indicated that such excuses would no longer satisfy the growing public and institutional demand for change.
Mounting Pressure on K-Electric
This inquiry comes amid growing backlash against the power company:
- Overbilling Exposed – Sindh officials revealed that K-Electric overcharged provincial departments by nearly Rs20 billion over the past decade, with almost Rs2 billion in excess billing last year alone. Despite receiving billions in funding for smart meters, the company has yet to deliver on promised upgrades.
- Political Pushback – The Sindh Assembly recently passed a unanimous resolution rejecting a proposed Rs50 billion NEPRA surcharge on consumers and urged the immediate installation of prepaid meters to ensure fairness and transparency.
Why Prepaid Billing is the Need of the Hour
Experts believe prepaid metering could transform Karachi’s fragile power distribution system:
| Advantage | Impact for Consumers |
|---|---|
| Fair Billing | Users only pay for what they use, ending inflated bills and disputed charges. |
| Theft Control | Eliminates illegal connections and ensures accountability. |
| Consumer Protection | Honest payers won’t face power cuts due to others’ non-payment. |
The Road Ahead
The SHC has directed authorities to draft a clear policy and expedite the adoption of prepaid systems. Regulatory bodies, including NEPRA, are now under pressure to ensure that the power distribution network in Karachi finally moves toward fair, transparent, and accountable billing practices.
For Karachi’s long-frustrated consumers, the court’s intervention has raised hopes for a system that puts people first, not profit margins.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.