K-Electric (KE) has continued its crackdown against electricity theft, removing 80 illegal power connections weighing nearly 160 kilogrammes from unmetered commercial shops and hotels in Karachi’s Rind Goth area of Bin Qasim Town.

The operation targeted illegal connections linked to a pole-mounted transformer (PMT), where electricity was being unlawfully drawn, causing major financial and technical losses, KE said on Tuesday.

Despite repeated anti-theft drives, the area was reporting annual electricity theft of around 112,000 units, resulting in an estimated financial loss of Rs4.4 million.

KE said distribution losses in the locality stood at 40 per cent, meaning two out of every five units supplied were being stolen.

A first information report (FIR) has been registered in connection with the illegal connections, according to a KE spokesperson.

“KE reiterates its commitment to eliminating illegal electricity connections and improving the profile of high-loss areas to ensure reliable and uninterrupted power supply for paying customers,” the spokesperson said.

The utility also urged consumers to use only legal, metered connections installed by authorised KE staff and to ensure timely payment of bills to support system stability and service improvement.