AsiaNet-Pakistan Premier Editorial Content and Press Release Distribution Service
Karachi: The Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI) has welcomed the recent announcement of a fixed electricity rate of Rs. 38 per unit, inclusive of all taxes, for Karachi’s industrial sector for May 2025. The decision was described by Junaid Naqi, President of KATI, as a crucial relief for industries facing high production costs.
Naqi expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for maintaining a pro-industry stance and ensuring affordable energy availability. He also acknowledged Federal Minister for Energy Awais Leghari’s role in the energy sector reforms, facilitating the supply of electricity from the national grid to Karachi.
The collaborative efforts of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the Energy Taskforce, and NEPRA were commended for implementing policies that reduced electricity costs for productive sectors.
KATI’s President appreciated K-Electric CEO Moonis Alvi and his engineering teams for establishing the interconnection with the National Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC), allowing the supply of 1,600 MW of cheaper electricity to Karachi, reducing fuel cost adjustments for the industrial sector.
Despite the progress, Naqi voiced concerns over the delay in transmitting an additional 400 MW of electricity by NTDC, urging authorities to expedite this segment to maximize benefits for Karachi’s industries.
Naqi also supported K-Electric’s proposed 640 MW solar power projects, which could supply clean energy at Rs. 10 per unit. He emphasized that this initiative would lower production costs, reduce reliance on imported fuels, and ease the national subsidy burden.
He highlighted the issue of the pending incremental power subsidy promised during the COVID-19 period, urging the federal government to release these funds and appealing to NEPRA for prompt reconciliation of pending amounts.
Reaffirming KATI’s commitment to supporting stakeholders, Naqi concluded with a pledge to continue efforts toward ensuring affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy for Karachi’s industries, which are vital to Pakistan’s economy.