Electricity Issues Faced by a Common Pakistani
For an average Pakistani, whether in a city or village, electricity is one of the biggest daily struggles. People pay high bills but still face long hours of load-shedding, faulty meters, and sudden billing errors.
Problems:
1. Load-Shedding and Power Cuts
Urban areas face scheduled and unscheduled outages, while rural feeders often remain without power for most of the day. This creates frustration, especially in summer when electricity is needed the most.
2. High and Incorrect Bills
Many consumers complain about inflated bills. Sometimes meters are faulty or the billing system adds extra charges. Families living under the “lifeline units” category often get pushed into higher slabs unfairly.
3. Weak Infrastructure
Old transmission lines, frequent breakdowns, and poor maintenance increase power cuts. Even though Pakistan generates enough electricity, much of it is wasted due to losses in the system.
4. Rural-Urban Divide
While most cities are connected, many villages still have limited or no access to reliable electricity. Rural homes rely on solar panels or small generators when the grid fails.
5. Customer Service Issues
Consumers often complain that their problems are ignored. New connections are delayed, and complaint centers rarely solve issues quickly.
Recommendations
- The government should invest in modern meters, stronger transmission lines, and rural electrification.
- Companies must ensure accurate billing and faster complaint handling.
- Consumers can save energy by using efficient appliances and, where possible, adopting solar power.
