SHC recommends prepaid smart metering system in Karachi

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Friday directed the counsel for Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) to justify the maintainability of a petition filed against electricity loadshedding in Karachi.

Justice Iqbal Kalhoro heard the petition, which was filed by the JI Karachi chief. During the proceedings, the court raised questions regarding whether the petition was admissible.

The court emphasized that electricity consumers who pay their bills on time and are not involved in power theft should not be subjected to loadshedding.

“Even if only one household in an area pays their bill, they should not have to suffer,” remarked Justice Kalhoro.

Addressing K-Electric’s legal representative, the judge questioned why a prepaid smart card electricity system had not yet been implemented in Karachi. “Why not introduce a system where electricity cannot be used without a prepaid card?” he asked.

K-Electric’s lawyer responded that introducing such a system would require a comprehensive policy framework.

“If you start working on it today, it may still take five years to implement,” the judge observed.

The lawyer further stated that since privatization, K-Electric has taken several steps to reduce electricity theft, claiming that nearly 70% of Karachi is now exempt from loadshedding.

He assured the court that its suggestion regarding a prepaid electricity system would be conveyed to K-Electric’s management.