Islamabad 31 July: Syed Moonis Abdullah Alvi, the long-standing Chief Executive Officer of K-Electric (KE), is at the center of a storm following a dramatic order from the Sindh Ombudsman for his removal over allegations of workplace harassment.
The ruling, which also imposes a Rs. 2.5 million fine, has sent shockwaves through Pakistan’s energy sector, compounding existing tensions over KE’s handling of Karachi’s persistent power outages. Alvi, reappointed as CEO just weeks ago on July 30, 2025, has reacted defiantly, while public and political criticism of his leadership intensifies.
The Sindh Ombudsman for the Protection against Harassment of Women at the Workplace ordered Alvi’s immediate removal from his position on July 31, 2025, citing his alleged involvement in harassing a former executive. The ombudsman’s decision, reported by Business Recorder, also mandates a hefty fine, with Alvi’s assets at risk if he fails to comply. Posts on X amplified the news, with user @TaazaTaren describing the ruling as a “#SHOCKWAVE,” noting its timing after Alvi’s recent reappointment. Another post from @ARYNEWSOFFICIAL highlighted Alvi’s response to the order, though specific details of his statement were not provided in the post.
The harassment allegations add to a series of controversies surrounding Alvi’s tenure.
According to Alvi’s statement on X. “I have always upheld the values of integrity and dignity in professional interactions, and I deeply believe in fostering safe and inclusive workplaces for all.”
“The recent verdict is deeply distressing to me. While I respect the legal process and the institutions that uphold it, I must, in good conscience, state that the findings do not reflect the truth of the situation as I experienced it.”
“I am currently reviewing the decision with my legal counsel and will be exercising my right to appeal. It is for anyone who feels wronged to be heard. I remain committed to ensuring that the truth is fully brought to light, through all lawful means available.”
— Moonis Alvi (@alvimoonis) July 31, 2025
In June 2025, a privileged motion was filed against him in the Sindh Assembly by MPA Muhammad Farooq, accusing Alvi of disrespecting assembly members by walking out of a committee session and making “taunting remarks.”
The motion, reported by Times of Karachi, claimed Alvi failed to address critical questions on power outages, further straining his relationship with provincial lawmakers.
Despite the mounting pressure, Alvi has remained steadfast. In a recent interaction with media, he outlined his strategic goals for K-Electric, stating, “KE should deliver reliable and sustainable electricity in a safe manner.
We aim to enhance our technical capabilities to continuously upgrade the system and align with global advancements.” This quote, published by Energy Update on July 8, 2025, reflects Alvi’s focus on modernization amid criticism.
Earlier this month, Alvi shared a similar sentiment with Business Recorder, emphasizing long-term improvements: “KE should be able to transmit and distribute reliable and sustainable electricity to the customer in a safe manner. We should have even better technical bandwidth to improve the system, and stay abreast with changes in the international market to keep the system upgraded.”
However, these statements have done little to quell public and political frustration. In September 2024, Alvi faced backlash during a Sindh Assembly committee meeting, where he lost his temper and challenged lawmakers to “cancel our licence and supply power yourself!” as reported by Aaj English TV.
The outburst came in response to grilling over prolonged load shedding in Karachi, particularly during sweltering heat when the “feel-like temperature” reached 50 degrees Celsius.
Alvi, a chartered accountant with over 30 years of financial experience, joined K-Electric in 2008 and ascended to CEO in June 2018. His tenure has been credited with reducing transmission losses from 40% to 15% and improving recovery rates from 80% to 95%, as noted in a 2021 Business Recorder interview. He has also championed digitization and customer-centric initiatives, including the award-winning Roshni Baji program.
Yet, challenges persist. Alvi has admitted to ongoing issues with power theft, stating in a 2024 Sindh Assembly meeting that power cuts in areas with illegal connections and low recoveries were limited to “no more than three hours,” according to Dawn. Critics, including PTI MPA Muhammad Shabbir Qureshi, have accused him of shifting the burden of theft onto consumers, arguing, “You have the resources to stop power theft.”
Karachi’s power woes have also drawn judicial scrutiny. On July 7, 2025, the Sindh High Court issued notices to KE, NEPRA, and the Power Division over excessive outages during extreme heat, as reported by HUM News. The government has pushed for leadership changes, with sources telling Dawn in 2025 that Alvi’s team failed to address monsoon-related disruptions promptly.
Alvi’s reappointment on July 30, 2025, announced via a Pakistan Stock Exchange notification, was initially seen as a vote of confidence from KE’s board. The company, privatized in 2005 and majority-owned by KES Power (66.4%), highlighted Alvi’s role in major projects like a 900MW RLNG-fired power plant.
However, the ombudsman’s ruling and ongoing public discontent cast uncertainty over his future. The Sindh Assembly’s directive to stop night-time outages and implement fixed load-shedding schedules, coupled with threats of legal action, adds further pressure. Alvi’s apology for his team’s “harsh behavior” in a prior meeting, as noted by Times of Karachi, may not suffice to mend ties with lawmakers.
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As Karachi grapples with power and water shortages, Alvi’s leadership remains under intense scrutiny. Whether he can navigate these challenges or if the ombudsman’s order marks the end of his tenure is a question that will shape K-Electric’s trajectory in Pakistan’s largest city.
