Electricity · Know Your Provider
WAPDA vs K-Electric: Who Supplies Your Electricity?
People in Pakistan often say 'WAPDA' when they mean their electricity company, but WAPDA and K-Electric are very different organisations. If you are in Karachi, your electricity provider is K-Electric. Everywhere else in Pakistan uses one of the WAPDA-linked DISCOs. Here is the actual breakdown.
Definition
WAPDA (Water and Power Development Authority)
A government authority responsible for water resources and, historically, electricity generation and distribution across Pakistan.
WAPDA used to directly manage electricity supply across all of Pakistan. In the 1990s and 2000s, the electricity distribution side was split into multiple companies called DISCOs (Distribution Companies). These include LESCO, MEPCO, FESCO, IESCO, GEPCO, PESCO, HESCO, SEPCO, QESCO, TESCO, and HAZECO. Today WAPDA focuses on hydroelectric power generation. The DISCOs, though linked to WAPDA-era infrastructure, are now separately managed entities under the government. Most Pakistanis still say 'WAPDA bill' when they mean their DISCO bill.
Definition
K-Electric (KE)
A private integrated electricity company that generates, transmits, and distributes electricity exclusively in Karachi, Hub, and parts of Dadu and Lasbela.
K-Electric operates completely independently from the WAPDA system. It has its own power plants, transmission network, and distribution infrastructure. It is a private company (not government-owned) and is the only integrated private electricity utility in Pakistan. K-Electric consumers have a different bill format, different helpline (0800-63726 or 118), and cannot use the WAPDA ENC portal for new connections — they use ke.com.pk instead.
WAPDA DISCOs vs K-Electric — Key Differences
WAPDA DISCOs (e.g. LESCO, MEPCO)
- ✓11 separate companies covering all provinces
- ✓Government-owned
- ✓NEPRA sets their tariffs
- ✓New connections via enc.com.pk
- ✓National helpline 118
- ✓Bill format varies by DISCO
K-Electric
- ✓One private company, Karachi only
- ✓Privately owned
- ✓NEPRA also regulates KE tariffs
- ✓New connections via ke.com.pk
- ✓Helpline: 0800-63726 or 118
- ✓KE has its own bill format
How to Know Which System You Are On
If you live anywhere in Karachi, Dadu district, or coastal Lasbela, your electricity comes from K-Electric. Everywhere else in Pakistan — Punjab, KPK, Balochistan, interior Sindh — is served by one of the 11 WAPDA-linked DISCOs. Your electricity bill header will clearly state the company name. Check your bill if you are unsure.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Is WAPDA still in charge of electricity?
WAPDA still runs major hydroelectric dams (like Tarbela and Mangla) and is involved in large power generation projects. But electricity distribution to homes and businesses is handled by the 11 DISCOs (for most of Pakistan) and K-Electric (for Karachi). WAPDA no longer manages retail electricity billing directly.
Why does Karachi have its own electricity company?
K-Electric (then called KESC, Karachi Electric Supply Company) was privatised in 2008. Before privatisation it was a government company. After privatisation, it continued operating as a private entity and was not merged into the DISCO system. This is why Karachi has separate electricity infrastructure and billing.
Can K-Electric consumers check bills on this site?
Yes. BillsOnline.pk covers K-Electric at /k-electric-bill-check. Note that K-Electric has a login-based customer portal on ke.com.pk for full account management — the bill check on this site shows the current bill amount using your reference number.