Nepra Slaps Rs. 10 Million Fine on National Grid

Pakistan’s power regulator, Nepra, has imposed a Rs. 10 million fine on the state-run National Grid Company after uncovering major safety, staffing, and operational lapses at key transmission sites in Sindh. This penalty follows a 41-month-long investigation involving detailed inspections, a show-cause notice, and multiple hearings. The probe centered on the Jhimpir area in Hyderabad, where grid stations were found energized despite being incomplete and without formal project handover—violating mandatory procedures. Nepra also highlighted serious staffing shortages, with only two shift engineers working 48-hour stretches without adequate support. Across the South region, NGC failed to fill sanctioned posts for nearly three years. The regulator said the lack of manpower, vehicles, safety tools, and basic facilities left critical grid assets exposed and vulnerable.