Supplying electricity to Pakistan's power-hungry cities is a complex business.

Here in Karachi stealing power by hooking up makeshift wires to the lines is commonplace.

Mafias control the illegal lines.

Some slums are held by the Taliban or gangs, making them no-go areas for power company staff.

Karachi Electric Power Supply Company manager Muhammad Siddiq says it's an impossible situation.

(SOUNDBITE)(English) MOHAMMAD SIDDIQ, KESC MANAGER, SAYING:

"If you remove them, which we often do, they're back again in five minutes or ten minutes and law enforcement is not effective."

Some of those who steal power see it differently.

(SOUNDBITE)(Urdu) MOHAMMAD TALIB, LATHE MACHINE SHOP SUPERVISOR, SAYING:

"When we get home in the evening there's a power outage. Even then KESC sends us huge bills. We can't afford to pay those bills, which is why we use the hooks."

Pakistan's power companies share the same set of problems.

Many s