Karachi residents battle heat, darkness and power cuts

May 19, 2026 (MLN): As prolonged power outages continue to disrupt daily life in Karachi during the sweltering pre-monsoon heat, many residents and businesses are increasingly relying on informal generator operators and small-scale backup power providers to cope with worsening electricity shortages.

In densely populated neighborhoods across the city, households and shopkeepers are paying monthly fees to access electricity from nearby diesel generators whenever grid supply fails, according to Bloomberg.

Residents say outages have become more frequent and longer in duration following disruptions in regional energy supplies linked to the ongoing conflict in the Persian Gulf.

Mohammad Mazhar, a tailor in Karachi, said a nearby generator connection has become essential for keeping his business running during load-shedding hours.

“The connection is a lifeline for my business,” he said, adding that without backup electricity he cannot iron clothes or serve customers on time.

Pakistan, heavily dependent on imported oil and gas from the Middle East, has been struggling with supply disruptions and rising fuel costs.

With the Strait of Hormuz effectively constrained, gas-fired power plants have reportedly been unable to operate at full capacity, worsening electricity shortages.

Karachi residents are facing soaring temperatures exceeding 44°C in May, while electricity demand continues to rise during evening hours.

Although rooftop solar installations have expanded rapidly, their contribution declines after sunset, widening the gap between power supply and demand.

Interviews with residents and traders suggest that many lower- and middle-income households are now turning to shared generator systems as a cheaper alternative to owning private backup setups.

Informal providers operating diesel generators from homes and shops have created parallel power networks supplying fans, lights, and basic appliances for modest monthly charges.

Despite government claims that electricity generation from local sources has improved and supply-related load-shedding has ended, consumers say outages remain severe, often lasting several hours due to transmission issues and electricity theft.

It warn that growing dependence on diesel generators could intensify inflationary pressures and increase fuel imports, placing additional strain on Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves.

“Persistent power outages place a limit on Pakistan’s economic growth,” said Gareth Leather, senior Asia economist at Capital Economics.

He noted that rising electricity and fuel costs are squeezing household spending while also threatening export industries such as textiles that depend on uninterrupted power supply.

In Karachi’s Korangi industrial area, market associations and traders have arranged large diesel generators to supply electricity to hundreds of shops.

Many businesses say backup systems are necessary to keep fans running and retain customers during extreme heat.

Generator operator Sheikh Salman said demand for his services has surged as residents struggle to cope with outages lasting up to 16 hours daily.

“There is no electricity for hours at a stretch,” he said. “We are providing a service for people.”

While some temporary relief may emerge after Pakistan secured additional LNG shipments following negotiations with Iran, analysts warn that the country remains vulnerable to prolonged energy shortages and high fuel costs.

For energy-intensive businesses such as welding workshops, however, small-scale backup systems offer little help.

Abdul Sattar, a worker at an iron and aluminum welding shop, said operations often come to a standstill during extended outages because neighborhood generators cannot power heavy machinery.

As blackouts persist across Karachi, many residents say improvised solutions are helping them survive, but concerns remain over how long businesses and households can sustain the rising costs of alternative power.

Copyright Mettis Link News