Residents in Karachi, Pakistan encountered difficulties in preparing ‘sehri’ and iftar meals for Ashura due to gas and electricity outages. K-Electric stated that it had exempted certain areas from scheduled load shedding until Muharram 11, but many residents had to resort to alternative options to ensure electricity during religious gatherings, as reported by Pakistan-based daily Dawn.
Various parts of Karachi, including Saddar, Burns Road, Lyari, and other areas, experienced prolonged power cuts starting late on Wednesday night. Despite K-Electric’s claim of uninterrupted power supply as per schedule, local residents reported power outages in several areas. Additionally, gas supply, already limited in many parts of Karachi, disappeared in several regions, particularly during iftar, leading to challenges in meal preparation during Muharram.
Many individuals opted to purchase food for iftar from restaurants and snack shops across the city. Moreover, water shortages were faced by numerous residents due to power outages, as electricity was necessary for pumping water to their taps. Social media platforms were flooded with complaints about gas and power outages in Karachi, according to Dawn.
Zafar Hasan criticized utility services for their failure to provide uninterrupted services during crucial days, emphasizing the necessity of continuous gas and electricity supply, especially during religious observances. Another resident blamed the provincial government for not coordinating with utility providers before Muharram to ensure uninterrupted services. Earlier this month, residents in Hyderabad, Sindh province, experienced gas supply issues during the daily schedule announced by the gas utility, causing concerns among residents, particularly women managing household tasks amid intense heat.
