Pakistan Faces Mounting Problems As Power Crisis Plunges Sindh Offices In Darkness

Karachi: India's "nefarious neighbor"—currently wandering the globe with a begging bowl—is grappling with multiple crises simultaneously. Amidst struggles regarding food, water, and the economy, Pakistan now faces a fresh challenge: a power crisis. To understand the situation: several major offices of the Education Department in Pakistan's Sindh province have been reeling from power outages for nearly three weeks.
The lack of electricity has brought online services, essential administrative tasks, and public-facing operations to a complete standstill. According to a report by 'The Express Tribune', the most significant aspect is that Education Department officials claim all electricity bills have been paid, yet the power supply continues to be cut off.

Are Major Offices Severely Affected? 

The impact of this ongoing power crisis in Sindh province is clearly visible across various offices. The report highlights that the Directorate General of Colleges (Sindh), the Regional Directorate of Government Colleges (Sindh), and the Regional Directorate of Private Schools (Karachi) are all bearing the brunt of the crisis. Furthermore, government operations have ground to a halt due to power outages lasting several hours during working hours.
Due to the lack of electricity, office computer systems, internet connectivity, and printing machines are non-functional. Consequently, several essential public services have been disrupted. The report emphasizes that the online registration process for private schools has stalled, and the issuance of computer-generated certificates has been halted. Additionally, the resolution of public grievances and processes related to admissions in government colleges have been delayed.

What about Electricity Availability? 

According to officials, electricity is available for only three or four hours during an eight-hour shift. Typically, the power supply is completely cut off from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM and again after 4:00 PM. The Deputy Director of the Inspection Department stated that the power utility 'K-Electric' is not addressing the issue, despite the bills having been paid in full.

Employees forced to sit outside the office? 

It is worth noting that the lack of electricity in the office buildings has rendered fans and air conditioners non-functional. Due to the scorching heat and humidity, it has become impossible for employees to remain inside the rooms, forcing them to work out in the open.
Meanwhile, students, parents, teachers, and school principals—who are making repeated visits to the offices for admissions, school registrations, and other essential tasks—are being forced to return without getting their work done after waiting for several hours.