Karachi University’s power bill hits Rs100–110 million as usage far exceeds sanctioned capacity

Karachi University’s monthly electricity costs have reached Rs100–110 million, with consumption at 8.6 megawatts against a sanctioned capacity of just 1.8MW, Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Wasim Qazi told teachers in Karachi.

Addressing the Karachi University Teachers Society’s (Kuts) annual dinner at the Staff Club Lawn, Qazi called for immediate reforms to tackle energy, security, financial and administrative problems. He said a PC-1 proposal for a 12MW solar project had been submitted to the Sindh chief secretary to lower expenditure.

Several campus entrances had become public passageways, allowing more unauthorised people and criminal elements onto university premises, he said. A PC-1 for a lasting security solution was ready, while talks with the chief secretary and the Higher Education Commission were continuing to secure funding.

Qazi said the university needed to retain its historical and academic heritage while adapting its institutional identity to contemporary needs. A comprehensive Brand Book would go before the Syndicate for approval, and he proposed a Syndicate committee to examine rules governing KU, its sub-institutions and research centres.

He also announced two educational tracks for students. The Corporate Readiness Path would give final-year students practical experience in industry and business, while the Entrepreneurship Path would establish an incubation centre where student groups could develop business projects with venture capitalist support.

A Rs50 million endowment fund had been created for financially disadvantaged and meritorious students, Qazi said, stressing that a permanent scholarship fund was also needed.

Turning to financial management, he said KU was still using single-entry accounting after 75 years, weakening transparency. He announced that its pension, endowment and provident funds would be registered under the Sindh Trust Act.

Earlier, Kuts president Syed Ghufran Alam presented the annual performance report. He described the past year as exceptionally difficult but said the society had continued helping faculty members without discrimination and working to resolve their problems, commending its office-bearers and members.

Qazi also pledged Rs100,000 personally to the Kuts Benevolent Fund. Dawn reported the remarks on November 5, 2026.