Karachi: Sindh Governor Kamran Tesori has taken a categorical stance on the worsening electricity crisis in Karachi following recent torrential rains. Expressing grave concern over the hardships being faced by citizens, the Governor declared that he will personally monitor the restoration of electricity across the metropolis. He further announced that he will summon K-Electric’s Managing Director (MD) to seek a direct and immediate explanation about the timeline for power restoration.
The Governor’s announcement comes as large parts of Karachi remain submerged in rainwater, with thousands of residents struggling without power and clean water.
Karachi Struggles After Torrential Rains
Karachi, Pakistan’s largest city and economic hub, witnessed heavy monsoon rains that brought life to a standstill. Low-lying areas including Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Surjani Town, North Karachi, Korangi, Saddar, and Shah Faisal Colony were hit by severe waterlogging. In some neighborhoods, residents were forced to climb onto rooftops to stay safe as rainwater continued to accumulate inside homes.
Governor Tesori, who visited several affected localities on Wednesday, acknowledged that the drainage system had collapsed in multiple areas. He said citizens had been left vulnerable and were forced to endure sleepless nights due to rain-induced flooding combined with prolonged blackouts.
Governor’s Visits to Flood-Hit Areas
While addressing the media after touring different parts of the city, the Governor shared his observations:
- Many areas had rainwater standing for over 24 hours, posing health risks and mobility issues.
- Families were seen stranded without food, electricity, or safe shelter, particularly in Surjani Town and Gulshan-e-Iqbal.
- The stormwater drains remained choked, highlighting Karachi’s chronic urban management failures.
The Governor warned that if relevant municipal institutions did not clean the storm drains immediately, his administration would take responsibility and clean them through the Governor House.
K-Electric Under Fire
The Sindh Governor reserved sharp criticism for K-Electric, the city’s sole electricity distribution company, which faced widespread backlash for prolonged power outages. Despite claims of technical faults and safety shutdowns during heavy rains, residents complained of 12 to 18 hours of continuous load-shedding in some areas.
Governor Tesori said:
“The biggest problem of Karachi today is the power outage. Citizens are living in darkness after the rains. I will personally demand an answer from the MD of K-Electric about when power supply will be restored.”
He further assured residents that if K-Electric failed to deliver on its commitments, the Governor House would establish its own monitoring mechanism for electricity restoration.
1366 Complaint Helpline and Citizens’ Grievances
The Governor revealed that the Governor House had already received over 1,000 direct complaints from citizens regarding electricity outages, waterlogging, and related urban issues. In response, a dedicated helpline 1366 and a complaint cell were established to record grievances and coordinate relief efforts.
He emphasized that officials had been instructed to address public complaints on an emergency basis and to ensure immediate redressal.
Expansion of Relief Efforts Beyond Karachi
Recognizing that rains had also battered other cities of Sindh, Governor Tesori announced that camp offices will be set up in Mirpurkhas and Hyderabad to oversee relief operations. He confirmed plans to personally visit these cities to ensure timely assistance to affected citizens.
Call for Political Unity in Times of Crisis
In a notable move, Governor Tesori invited all political parties, including Jamaat-e-Islami (JI), Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), and even his political opponents, to come forward and serve the people instead of engaging in criticism.
He said:
“This is not the time for blame games. Karachi’s people are suffering. I urge all political parties to set aside their flags, come out, and serve the public. Citizens need action, not criticism.”
The Governor also addressed Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), criticizing the party for negative commentary during the crisis. He noted that when floods struck Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he personally called PTI leader Ali Amin Gandapur to express solidarity, but no such gesture was extended to Karachi in its time of need.
The Spirit of Karachiites
Despite the devastation, Governor Tesori praised the resilience of Karachi’s citizens, noting their ability to withstand challenges with courage. He stated that the people of Karachi had displayed exemplary patience even amid flooding, blackouts, and lack of state support.
“Even in these tough times, Karachiites have not lost hope. This courage is commendable. When we can defeat India on the battlefield, why can’t we unite to plant trees and resolve civic issues together?”
His remarks were widely interpreted as a call for collective responsibility in tackling climate change and improving urban infrastructure.
Broader Context: Karachi’s Chronic Urban Woes
The recent crisis has once again highlighted Karachi’s longstanding civic issues:
- Inadequate Drainage System – Despite billions spent on stormwater drainage projects, clogged nullahs cause massive flooding each monsoon.
- Overburdened Electricity Grid – K-Electric has repeatedly faced criticism for unscheduled power cuts, poor infrastructure, and lack of investment in upgrading transmission lines.
- Rapid Urbanization – Karachi’s population exceeds 20 million, but its infrastructure has failed to keep pace with its growth.
- Political Disputes – The city often suffers due to blame games between provincial and municipal authorities, with little accountability for service failures.
Urban planners have long argued that unless Karachi undergoes structural reforms in drainage, solid waste management, and energy supply, similar crises will continue to paralyze the metropolis.
Governor’s Final Word: The State Must Stand With Citizens
Concluding his media briefing, Governor Tesori reaffirmed that the state will not abandon Karachi’s people. He stressed that it is the government’s duty to stand with citizens in their hour of need.
“The responsibility of the state is to remain with its citizens. We will not leave the people of Karachi alone under any circumstances. Relief efforts will continue until normalcy is restored.”
Conclusion
The Sindh Governor’s categorical stance reflects both the urgency of Karachi’s post-rainfall crisis and the deep frustration among citizens over recurring civic failures. His decision to personally monitor power restoration and directly question K-Electric has raised public expectations. However, long-term solutions for Karachi’s infrastructure challenges remain critical.
The coming weeks will reveal whether these promises translate into meaningful action or remain another addition to Karachi’s long list of unfulfilled assurances.
