ISLAMABAD: National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has taken strong exception to what it termed a “highly irresponsible and non-serious attitude” of Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO) Chief Executive Officer Aijaz Ahmed Channa in the wake of a prolonged and widespread power outage caused by a recent windstorm.
In a letter addressed to the Secretary Power Division and Chairman of SEPCO’s Board, NEPRA’s Director Syed Zawar Haider said that the Authority had received multiple reports from media, public complaints, and internal sources indicating that a severe windstorm struck SEPCO’s service territory, leading to the collapse of several 132kV transmission towers.
The incident triggered a major system disturbance, resulting in a widespread blackout that affected multiple grid stations and rendered hundreds of 11kV feeders non-operational for an extended period. As a consequence, a large number of consumers reportedly remained without electricity for approximately five to six days, causing serious hardship, particularly in the prevailing weather conditions.
NEPRA noted that the scale and duration of the outage point to serious shortcomings in SEPCO’s system resilience and operational preparedness. The Authority expressed grave concern that the prolonged disruption reflects deficiencies in preventive maintenance, emergency preparedness, disaster management, operational response, and restoration planning.
“The magnitude and duration of the outage prima facie reflect serious deficiencies with respect to system resilience and emergency response,” the regulator observed, adding that delays in restoration and lack of alternate supply arrangements have raised questions about SEPCO’s compliance with regulatory obligations.
According to NEPRA, the company’s performance in handling the crisis appears to fall short of requirements laid down under the NEPRA Act, Performance Standards (Distribution) Rules, Grid Code, and Distribution Code, all of which mandate continuity and reliability of electricity supply.
The Authority has directed SEPCO to submit a comprehensive report covering all aspects of the incident. These include a detailed chronology of events leading to the system collapse, technical reasons behind the failure of the 132kV towers, and an assessment of structural integrity, maintenance practices, and the impact of weather conditions.
In addition, SEPCO has been asked to provide details of affected grid stations, transmission lines, and feeders, along with feeder-wise outage durations. The report must also include the exact number of consumers impacted, categorized by area and consumer class.
NEPRA has further sought information on immediate response measures taken by SEPCO, including deployment of technical teams, coordination mechanisms, and steps taken to restore supply. The company has also been asked to explain the timeline of restoration efforts and reasons for the delay in bringing the system back online.
The regulator has specifically questioned whether any alternate supply arrangements were made to mitigate consumer hardship during the blackout period, and has asked for a detailed assessment of the financial, operational, and service impact of the incident.
Moreover, SEPCO has been directed to identify and fix responsibility for any negligence on the part of its officials, and to outline departmental actions taken or proposed. The report must also include future corrective and preventive measures aimed at strengthening the resilience of its transmission and distribution network against extreme weather events.
NEPRA emphasized that the report must be supported by documentary evidence, including technical data, photographs, outage records, and restoration logs, to enable a thorough assessment.
However, the Authority expressed particular displeasure over the conduct of SEPCO’s CEO during the emergency. According to the letter, the CEO was contacted through WhatsApp and directed to immediately provide a formal update on the situation and restoration progress.
Instead of complying, the CEO reportedly insisted on receiving a formal written letter before responding, despite the urgency of the situation. NEPRA pointed out that communication through digital platforms, especially in emergencies, constitutes a valid and official mode of interaction for seeking immediate compliance.
The situation was further aggravated when, despite being requested to share his official email address for prompt communication during the holiday period, the CEO failed to respond altogether.
“This conduct reflects a highly irresponsible and non-serious attitude towards regulatory directions and emergency response obligations,” NEPRA said, terming the behaviour “prima facie unacceptable” and indicative of a lack of due diligence.
The Authority reiterated that SEPCO, as a public utility operating under a regulatory framework, is legally bound to promptly respond to directives issued through any recognized means of communication, particularly in situations involving public safety and large-scale service disruptions.
NEPRA warned that any deliberate delay, avoidance, or non-responsiveness may invite legal and regulatory action under the relevant provisions of the NEPRA Act and associated rules.
Given the severity of the situation and its widespread impact on consumers, the Authority has set a strict deadline for submission of the report. SEPCO has been directed to furnish the required information within three working days from June 16.
“Any failure, delay, concealment of facts, or submission of incomplete or inaccurate information shall be viewed seriously,” NEPRA warned, adding that such lapses may result in initiation of appropriate legal and regulatory proceedings against the company and responsible officials.
The incident has once again highlighted vulnerabilities in the country’s power distribution infrastructure, particularly in the face of extreme weather events, and underscores the need for improved preparedness and accountability within distribution companies.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026